| Kibo Development Takes Much Physical Strength |
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 | EVA
Procedures and Equipment Evaluated in Advance |
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| Astronaut surrounded by support divers and NASDA engineers
in the EVA weightless environment simulation test | The
International Space Station (ISS) will be operated for over 10 years. During this
period, it will be necessary for astronauts to perform extravehicular activities
(EVAs) to maintain ISS. To ensure that these activities can take place as originally
planned, it is necessary to evaluate the EVA procedures, tools, and support equipment
in advance. EVA weightless environment simulation tests are conducted to support
these evaluations.
The fourth EVA weightless environment simulation test
was conducted from August 24 to October 9, 1998. The right figure shows a photograph
of an astronaut wearing a space suit used in the underwater tests. Astronauts
practice EVAs in a simulated weightless space environment created by neutral buoyancy
underwater in order to confirm whether EVA planning is correct or not.
Several divers surround the astronaut to support the astronaut's activities in
the underwater test. In addition, another group of divers prepares for the tests
to ensure that things go smoothly. NASDA engineers who designed the Kibo EVA activities
can also be seen.
| NASDA
engineer also Receive Diving Training |
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| Preparations for the simulated weightless environment
test. Astronaut entering the water on the diving platform |
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| Weightless environment test equipment used in performing
underwater EVA simulation | The validity of EVA procedures
cannot be evaluated without actual performance. Therefore, NASDA engineers need
to work side-by-side with the astronauts to observe the performance and to confirm
if the procedures they have developed are appropriate or not. This simulated environment
enables the NASDA engineer divers to experience the weightlessness of space. This
is an entirely new duty for NASDA engineers, one that was not encountered in the
development of satellites and rockets.
The NASDA engineer divers had
to overcome the following three obstacles because a careless mistake underwater
can lead to an accident. The first hurdle was mastering the necessary skills for
underwater duties. These skills included diving regulations, physiological changes
under water, and using underwater equipment. To overcome the first obstacle, NASDA
engineers were obliged to take a national examination to be certified as divers.
This is simply a certificate, which does not involve actual underwater testing.
This leads to the second obstacle, which is to master the necessary skills
to conduct underwater activities properly and safely. To acquire these skills,
NASDA engineers don wet suits, strap air tanks to their backs, and practice with
fins. In addition to these diving skills, NASDA engineers need to develop keen
observation skills. Combining these skills, the NASDA engineers must observe the
activities of the underwater astronaut while experiencing a simulated weightless
environment. To master these kinds of skills, it is necessary for the NASDA engineers
to obtain a certification card (C-card). NASDA engineers attended several diving
school sessions to obtain the certification card.
| Hard
Training in Preparation for Emergencies |
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| Training at the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
| Underwater activities do not always proceed as planned.
Careless mistakes and unavoidable external factors may make it necessary to perform
an emergency evacuation. It is important to deal with these emergency situations
calmly, and this is the third obstacle. NASDA engineers must receive special training
to obtain the presence of mind and techniques to deal with these emergencies calmly
and properly so as not to panic under any situation, no matter how bad they are.
The training to overcome the third obstacle is very strict. It includes courses
by veteran instructors to master advanced diving techniques. The training curriculum
originally was developed for professional divers such as firefighters and police.
This advanced training was conducted at the Japan Marine Science and Technology
Center in Yokosuka City where trainees stayed for several days.
Even
through the standard of the strict curriculum were loosened, it was only solace
to NASDA engineers, and the situation was not changed very much. They received
training for five days to build their skills and self-confidence so they would
not panic in difficult situations. For example, they learned to swim while weighted
down using only their fins, practiced how to respond when their snorkels fill
with water, and experienced having their masks and regulators removed while underwater.
Some trainees were totally exhausted on the first day of training. Others complained
that they wanted to escape from such rigorous training. Still others felt bitter
against their supervisors who sent them to the training. The trainees felt a variety
of emotions but endured the difficult training.
| Expected
Characteristics of Space Development Engineers | Probably
none of the engineers believed that they would undergo such training when they
entered NASDA. However, in developing manned space systems, designers themselves
must use the systems first to confirm their usability before the systems are used
by astronauts.
Until now, NASDA engineers were expected to have the technological
and managerial skills to implement projects smoothly. However, in addition to
these skills, NASDA engineers are now expected to have physical strength as well.
This is a new characteristic required for NASDA engineers. In the current era,
book study alone will not be sufficient for manned space development, and those
engineers involved in manned space development must now have both "brains and
brawn."
Last Updated : January 19, 2000
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