What's it Like to Spacewalk?

What's it Like to Spacewalk?
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 10, 2024

Spacewalks occur in the vacuum of deep space, but astronauts are tethered to their spacecraft if they exit an orbiting space station, space module, or spacecraft. Inside a spaceship, conditions are well suited to humans. Outside, in space, it's an entirely different story.

The frigid vacuum of space presents deadly risks. When astronauts venture beyond the confines of their spacecraft, things are unlike anything on Earth. Space stations could not be assembled without spacewalks, and our knowledge of what lies beyond the Earth would be severely limited.

Indeed, mankind has been building the ISS for decades. Bit by bit, piece by piece, astronauts with aeronautical engineering skills, professional space training, and ironclad determination have participated in spacewalks to perform construction, maintenance, experimentation, and research.

Recall that spacecraft remain in low Earth orbit. While the nomenclature spacewalk is bandied about, the correct term is extravehicular activity (EVA). In fairness, spacewalks are a rarity compared to the myriad tasks undertaken by astronauts aboard space stations. Nowadays, even civilian spacewalks take place, the latest expedition being SpaceX Polaris Dawn.

Space is a thermal vacuum that presents many fundamental challenges to astronauts. Typically, astronauts avoid spacewalks because they are dangerous. Robotic arms such as Canadarm2 are designed expressly for these purposes. However, occasionally, it's imperative to have a hands-on approach with astronauts on spacewalks.

Hands-on Approach to Spacewalks, Anyone?
Most of us can only imagine the excitement or dread of an authentic spacewalk. The mere notion

is enough to raise anxiety to fever-pitch levels. Many of us have witnessed Hollywood special effects with CGI-generated space travels in outer space blockbusters. While these entertainment spectacles capture these surreal elements, nothing compensates for the real deal.

For the curious observers, the gaming realm provides plenty of fodder. Top-tier video game-style attractions abound to make it easier to grasp the complexities of spacewalking. For the novices out there, it's certainly overwhelming. One such social game - Space Sam Walk & Win™ - offers a light-hearted approach to deep space exploration. Granted, scant training is needed to blast off into a virtual realm and experience heavenly bodies, meteors, asteroids, and other space debris blazing across the night sky.

This space-themed social slot by Booming Games is not NASA-approved training material, but it's a creative slice of space-style fanfare that brings a little light-hearted flair to the subject. Space Sam Walk & Win dazzles the crowds with 5X zero-gravity reels in play with alien-themed critters, vortex wilds, precious gemstones, and flaring suns. Unique elements like Sun Collect ramp up the multipliers for sun symbols from X1 to X20 based on the spin value. And, of course, it's free to play for novices and professional cosmonauts alike. Simply use gold coins (GCs) to start the training regimen.

What is The Bone Fide Training for Spacewalks?
Training for the International Space Station (ISS) begins 12m underwater on Earth. NASA's Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, Texas, has a Neutral Buoyancy Lab designed for this purpose. It features a replica of the International Space Station (ISS) submerged in 6 million gallons of water.

The training ratio equates to 7 hours in the pool for every one hour on the ISS. Underwater, astronauts complete many complex tasks, including the removal of broken or severed equipment, connecting electrical cables, performing checks and readings, as required. These tasks are made significantly more difficult by the cumbersome suits that astronauts wear.

Unbeknownst to many, the space station rotates around the Earth at 28,000 km/h, but there is no sensation of speed at all - no wind, no friction, no concept of movement. That's because space is a frictionless vacuum. Typically, two astronauts go on spacewalks at the same time - it's the safe way to do it.

Safety is the number one concern for all spacewalks. Astronauts must perform meticulous checks of their space suits, tethering, oxygen supply, seals and locks, etcetera. All the necessary tools must be close at hand and securely stored to prevent them from causing catastrophic damage to the space station and its components. Before spacewalks, decompression is necessary. It's the same process that underwater divers go through to prevent the bends.

Inside the ISS, areas are pressurized to one atmosphere. Once you're inside a space suit, it's a completely different pressure - 4.3 psi - the same pressure you would have at the top of Mount Everest. This causes nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream, a.k.a. decompression sickness. While preparing for a spacewalk, 24 hours before, astronauts wait outside in an airlock chamber the size of a closet with their spacesuits on to adjust to the air pressure.

Beware the Dramatic Temperature Variations in Space
Here's where things get incredibly interesting - outside in space, it's not your typical barmy day on Earth. Temperatures can drop to as low as -160oC out of the sunlight and as high as 120oC in the sunlight. Both temperatures are unsustainable - that's where the suit comes into the equation.

Astronauts use their hands to move about on the outside of the ISS or other spacecraft. In the event that a tether loosens, all spacesuits feature jet packs known as SAFER, powered with a joystick to help the astronaut return to the safety of the space station.

FYI, it takes up to 45 minutes to don the spacesuit. It is a complex mini space station that you wear for your overall protection, maintenance, and well-being. The suit itself is extra heavy - 130 kg. It features three main layers: an oxygen layer, a restraint for the structure, and thermal layers. Plus, all spacesuits are equipped with MAG in case potty breaks are needed!