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July 9, 2021

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Safety a premium for homemade spacesuits

Source: Xinhua | 00:17 UTC+8 July 9, 2021 | Print Edition

China鈥檚 self-developed spacesuits have ensured the safety of astronauts during their stay in the space station core module Tianhe, and while performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside the module.

The space gear includes intravehicular and extravehicular spacesuits, based on different scenarios, said Zhang Wanxin, director of the astronaut suit project under the Astronaut Center of China.

Intravehicular spacesuits, which are for astronauts to wear inside the spacecraft, ensure ventilation and heat dissipation of the astronauts under normal circumstances, and provide oxygen to ensure their safety if the spacecraft leaks, Zhang added.

The extravehicular suit, like a small aircraft, provides safe and effective environmental protection, environmental control and life support for astronauts when they work outside the spacecraft, he said, adding that extravehicular suits should not only meet the life support needs of astronauts but also allow them to complete extravehicular activities.

The new-generation homemade extravehicular spacesuit used in the extravehicular mission is about 2 meters in height and weighs more than 100 kilograms, with longer service life, higher reliability and better flexibility than previous versions, according to Zhang.

Though heavy, the extravehicular suits use bionic structures to facilitate the activities of astronauts.

All the joints of the upper and lower limbs are equipped with airtight bearings so that the astronauts鈥 hands and feet can move freely, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office.

The spacesuit helmet is equipped with a camera, a light and a high-tech window, CMSEO said, adding that the suit can contain water and food for long-duration extravehicular activities.

Every set of extravehicular spacesuits, which consist of 100 components, has gone through strict procedures in the process of development, production and final assembly, said Deng Xiaowei with ACC. A series of environmental and pressure performance tests, ergonomic verification and evaluation have also been carried out on the extravehicular spacesuits to ensure the astronauts鈥 absolute safety.

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