The boundless space is mysterious and dangerous!
Without the protection of the atmosphere, no matter it is high-energy rays from the universe anytime and anywhere, or high temperatures when the sun shines on it.
It is enough to pose a fatal threat to people entering space.
Not to mention the low pressure in space and the low temperature after leaving the area illuminated by the sun.
Each one of them can become the murderer of an astronaut.
In order to protect the lives of astronauts, it is necessary to develop a space suit that can protect the lives of astronauts in such a harsh space environment.
As the first spacecraft to realize manned spaceflight in China, the spacesuits required by astronauts also need to be designed from scratch.
Since the requirements for the first step of manned spaceflight do not include extravehicular walking, what currently needs to be developed is an in-cabin spacesuit.
Generally speaking, an in-cabin spacesuit consists of a helmet, clothing, gloves and boots.
It can provide the astronauts with the necessary standard atmospheric pressure, block various radiations in space, maintain the astronauts' body temperature, handle the metabolic waste produced by the astronauts while wearing the space suit, and provide necessary oxygen supply and exhaust. carbon dioxide.
Therefore, strictly speaking, a space suit cannot be regarded as a kind of clothing, it is more like a complete life support system.
Even after two hundred years of great breakthroughs in biotechnology, nearly every piece of human genes has been thoroughly studied.
There is no way to transform the human body that has evolved over millions of years to the extent that it can adapt to the space environment!
Of course, canned people who upload their consciousness into tin cans and rely on various sensors to perceive the world are outside the scope of discussion.
Therefore, such an external life support system is still necessary.
However, domestic space suit research and development work at this time has encountered insurmountable problems.
That is, there is no reference at all for the research and development of space suits. Currently, there are only two countries in the world that have technical reserves in this area: Damao and Yingjiang.
However, it is basically impossible to obtain first-hand space suit research information from them.
Once upon a time, someone asked whether they could purchase a space suit from Da Mao for reference or as a backup.
But after contacting Damao's aerospace department, the other party did not agree to our request.
This is not very strange, after all, Da Mao is following the West at this time, trying to gain their acceptance.
Therefore, the research and development of space suits can only be solved by ourselves.
"So, what does this matter have to do with our Rocket Research Institute?"
Zhang Xingyang was also confused when he was asked to help with the development of the space suit.
After all, this matter basically has nothing to do with them, and they still have to carry out the transformation of the Hongyan rocket at this time.
All departments are basically overloaded.
There is no such manpower and material resources to assist in the development of space suits.
"To be precise, this matter does not have much to do with you, but now the research and development of space suits has encountered many bottlenecks."
Sun Hongtao's unique rough voice sounded in Zhang Xingyang's ears.
"We are also trying to brainstorm ideas and see if you can come up with some helpful suggestions."
Zhang Xingyang also realized at this time that the progress of the space suit research and development project seemed to be very unsatisfactory.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to ask the Rocket Research Institute, which is basically so busy that it never touches the ground, to help.
But since the request has come to the door, Zhang Xingyang also told some of what he knew.
"A space suit, to put it bluntly, is a life support system."
"So when we are developing, we must take into account the high overload issues for astronauts during launch and return, as well as the low pressure and low gravity issues in space."
"The first problem we have to face is the problem of pressurizing the inside of the space suit."
"You should also know that the air pressure in space is very low. If it cannot be pressurized, ensure sufficient air pressure."
"Then the blood in the human body and the gases in the body tissues will leave, causing astronauts in space to suffer from diving sickness that is common among divers!"
In fact, in the near-vacuum environment of space, if astronauts do not have adequate protection, they will die due to the instantaneous boiling of blood under low pressure!
Members of the space suit project team also said at this time:
"We also know this, but it is still unclear how to achieve enough pressure within the spacesuit!"
"If you want to maintain sufficient air pressure, the first thing you need to do is the sealing of the space suit."
Zhang Xingyang answered the other party's questions patiently.
"Especially at the connections between components, such as the collar where the helmet connects to the torso, and the connectors on the hands and feet."
"These parts must ensure the tightness of the connection."
"To ensure the sealing, a certain air-tight restriction layer must be specially set up on the space suit. This part can be coated with chloroprene nylon tape to further enhance the air tightness of the space suit."
After Zhang Xingyang finished talking about the issue of air tightness, he also said some things that people may not consider.
"Although our first manned space flight will not stay in orbit for more than three days, the astronauts' diet and excretion must be taken into consideration."
At this time, everyone present except Zhang Xingyang frowned.
Because the issue of excretion is actually quite complicated.
Liquids are relatively easy to resolve, but solid excretions are difficult to resolve through similar urinary catheters.
"Solid excrement is difficult to deal with, isn't it?"
Even Sun Hongtao, who doesn't know much about the specific technology here, can think of it, let alone others.
"There are two solutions. The first is to use a special collection bag, which is scooped up during excretion. It is shaped like a funnel. After excretion, fungicides are poured in and the excrement is packaged and collected."
Zhang Xingyang frowned slightly when he said this, because this method is actually not very suitable for our first manned flight.
"However, this places relatively high requirements on the flexibility of the space suit."
"So I still recommend the second method, which is to use a 'pumping toilet' to suck away the excrement through a special fan, and then seal it in a sealed bag through dehydration and deodorization."
"Will this cause the manned spacecraft to be overweight?"
What Sun Hongtao considered was more comprehensive.
"Our current manned spacecraft has enough space, especially after switching to the Hongyan rocket."
Zhang Xingyang's answer gave Sun Hongtao reassurance.
Then Zhang Xingyang turned around and took out a piece of paper and a pen from his drawer.
I began to draw a sketch of the space suit design based on the space suit in my memory and the current domestic technical level.
Zhang Xingyang's hands were very steady and fast, and he completed the sketch in less than ten minutes.
"If you believe me, you can try this sketch design."
He handed the sketch to the person in charge of the space suit project team. After taking a look at it, the other person looked at Zhang Xingyang in surprise and said:
"Are you designing a space suit or a mecha?!"
"Of course it's a space suit, mechas don't look like that!"
(End of chapter)
