7.9B: Accommodations for Space Explorations
Earth and Space
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The Space Suit
Lexile 1320L
1 Imagine being surrounded by the inky
Credit: NASA
blackness of space. Instead of looking
up to gaze at the moon, you look down
staring at the magnificent blue planet
that we call home. The swirling white
clouds cover the green and brown land
masses on Earth as you float
weightlessly through the vast
emptiness of the universe. Although
this may seem like fun, space can be an
extremely dangerous and deadly place
for humans. Earth provides us with air
to breathe, gravity to hold us in place,
and an atmosphere to protect us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
An astronaut must take extreme caution when leaving the comfort and
protection of Earth and entering the airless vacuum of space.
2 Without the protection of Earth’s atmosphere, an unprotected astronaut
would die almost instantly. The ultraviolet rays from the sun are so intense
that they would cause severe skin damage in a matter of seconds. Without air
in space, the astronaut would be gasping for a breath and the gases in the
blood would separate and boil due to the lack of air pressure. Bombarding
micrometeoroids, tiny particles of dust or rock moving at high speeds, make it
nearly impossible to move. How could an astronaut ever travel or work safely
in space with all of these life threatening conditions? The answer is simple but
complex. Scientists have developed a spacesuit for the astronauts to wear
while working in space that mimics the conditions on Earth by providing
protection from harmful UV rays and flying debris. This suit allows them to be
safe and protected and to move around in space with little difficulty.
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Reading Science!
7.9B: Accommodations for Space Explorations
Earth and Space
3 The spacesuit is capable of maintaining an air pressure similar to that on Earth.
This keeps the astronaut’s body fluids, like blood, in a liquid state. Imagine that
this suit is a protective balloon surrounding the astronaut while he/she is out in
space. Providing the astronaut with air to breathe, the suit gets its supply of
oxygen either through an umbilical cord from the space craft or from a
backpack life support system that the astronauts wears. Also being designed
to protect the astronaut from the extreme temperatures in space, the suit is
layered with fabrics like Neoprene, Gore-Tex, and Dacron. The outer layer of
the suit must be able to reflect the sun’s light, protect against harmful
radiation, and be tough enough to protect the astronaut from
micrometeoroids. This outer layer is composed of a reflective layer like Mylar,
(similar to those shiny helium balloons) or white fabric.
4 The helmet on the spacesuit must be made of a durable plastic that has been
tinted to shield the astronaut’s eyes from the blinding light of the sun, but still
allow him/her to see clearly enough to perform delicate maneuvers on fragile
equipment. An astronaut’s helmet also allows him/her to communicate with
the spacecraft, with other astronauts, or with a team from Earth by using
microphones and earphones that have been installed inside the helmet.
5 When an astronaut has to leave the spacecraft to repair or make adjustments
to equipment, there has to be footholds or straps for him/her to hold onto so
that he/she is not in danger of floating off into space. Sometimes an astronaut
will wear a special backpack called a Manned Maneuvering Unit. This unit
allows the astronaut the freedom to float in space without using footholds or
straps to attach himself/herself to the spacecraft or equipment. It works with
gas powered rockets that propel the astronaut through space as he/she
controls its movements and direction with a joystick like the ones used to play
video games.
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7.9B: Accommodations for Space Explorations
Earth and Space
6 The spacesuit is an astronaut’s life support when out in space away from the
space craft. Not only does it provide protection from the sun’s harmful
ultraviolet rays, but it also protects from other types of deadly radiation and
micrometeoroids. The space suit allows the astronaut to breathe by
providing oxygen and by simulating an air pressure that is comparable to
Earth’s. It allows maneuvering and movement in space even without the help
of gravity. Without the spacesuit, spacewalks would not be possible.
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Reading Science!
1
A
a small rock that burns up when
it enters Earth’s atmosphere.
B
a collection of small particles of
dust or rock moving at high
speeds through space.
C
a collection of small particles of
dust or rock moving at slow
speeds through space.
3
A
not many astronauts have been
to space and therefore do not
really know what it is like.
B
there is no air to breathe, no air
pressure to maintain liquid body
fluids, and without gravity
astronauts would float away.
D
The outer Mylar or white fabric layer
of a spacesuit —
A
regulates the astronaut’s body
temperature.
B
allows the astronaut to be
visible to the spacecraft as goes
on spacewalks.
C
protects against the harmful
radiation from the Sun and
against micrometeoroids.
D
allows the astronaut to
communicate with the
spacecraft, other astronauts, or
a team from Earth.
a small rock that hits the space
craft making it hard to steer.
Conditions in space are dangerous
and deadly because —
C
© 2011
Earth and Space
A micrometeoroid is —
D
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7.9B: Accommodations for Space Explorations
4
space is similar to Earth but
without water and air.
space is too far away to travel.
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4
An astronaut can keep from floating
away in space by —
A
weighing down with something
heavy.
B
making body movements
similar to that of a swimmer.
C
using footholds or straps to the
spacecraft or equipment, or by
using a Manned Maneuvering
Unit to propel through space.
D
making a continuous running
motion like he/she is jogging in
place.
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7.9B: Accommodations for Space Explorations
Earth and Space
5
© 2011
An astronaut’s helmet is made of —
A
Dacron and Neoprene.
B
stainless steel.
C
durable tinted plastic.
D
Gore-Tex and aluminum.
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