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Results of a Manned Over Pressurization Event in the Extravehicular Mobility Unit Space Suit AssemblyThe Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) is a 102 x 202 x 40-foot-deep tank holding over 6 million gallons of water used to simulate weightlessness for Astronaut training. The maxim "Train Like You Fly" refers to the desire to have the suit perform, during training, as close as possible to how it performs during an Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), particularly with respect to mobility. Therefore, the Space Suit Assembly (SSA) used in the NBL is a downgraded hardware version of the flight SSA; it is not designed for the NBL environment or operations. A classification system defines the flight Space Suit Assembly hardware as Class I, and the NBL training hardware SSA as Class IIIW. On July 20, 2017, during a manned training event in the NBL, the SSA was inadvertently over-pressurized to 22 psid; normal operating pressure being 4.3 psid. The suit subject was removed from the suit with no injury. The event was investigated by a NASA Mishap Team. The Team investigated common causes and differences between the Class I and Class IIIW Extra-vehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). The investigation determined that the event was limited to Class IIIW hardware and its external flow-controlled open loop ventilation systems. The flight EMU is a pressure regulated closed loop ventilation system. This paper will examine the differences between the Class I and Class IIIW SSA hardware and provide details of the Mishap Investigation. Corrective actions taken to mitigate risk with hardware, operations, and hazard documentation will be discussed.
Document ID
20180004518
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ferl, Jinny (ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Anderson, Steve (ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Groom, Clark (ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Fritz, Walter T. (ILC Dover Frederica, DE, United States)
Jennings, Mallory (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Lynch, Marques (Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2018
Publication Date
July 8, 2018
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Thermodynamics
Report/Patent Number
ICES-2018-290
JSC-E-DAA-TN56582
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Abuquerque, NM
Country: United States
Start Date: July 8, 2018
End Date: July 12, 2018
Sponsors: UTC Aerospace Systems
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNJ10TB01C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Spacesuit
Mishap
NBL

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