Astronaut nearly drowns during a spacewalk

eddie · 07-20-13, 02:33 PM

I know it sounds crazy, but its true!

"US astronaut Chris Cassidy and Italy's Luca Parmitano were less than an hour into a planned six-hour outing when Mr Parmitano reported what seemed to be water inside his helmet."

Coolant for his spacesuit started leaking into his helmet. They believe he had between 1 to 1.5 liters inside his helmet. He couldn't see or hear, barely able to speak, as these blobs of water covered his eye, ears and mouth. He had memorized how to get back into the station, so he worked his way back to where he could get back into the airlock. I imagine that was fun trying to do that without being able to see. Finally back in the station, the other astrnauts frantically worked to get his helmet off. Once off the water floated away, and he was ok.

If that had been me, there would have been more then water in my suit!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-1...helmet/4825472

in_vino_vomitus · 07-20-13, 02:38 PM

Scary....

Red October1984 · 07-20-13, 02:47 PM

The only thought I have is

HOW THE HELL DOES THIS HAPPEN?!

soopaman2 · 07-20-13, 02:48 PM

Had to be scary, its not like you can wave the floaters away from your face with your hand, and every breath you risked sucking in a globule of coolant.

Give Nasa back it's funding, we do not need any more Abrahms tanks, we need a viable orbital delivery vehicle, and (obviously) newer suits.

Unless you want to keep paying the Russians for our space travel.

First to the moon, need the Russians to get us up there today.

Pathetic.

Stealhead · 07-20-13, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red October1984

The only thought I have is

HOW THE HELL DOES THIS HAPPEN?!

Well coolant leaking inside the suit as the article said.You see in space the temperature can very greatly from freezing cold to pretty hot so the space suits have a coolant/heating systems obviously this one leaked.

Space flight/operations are pretty damn dangerous many things can go wrong.

Jimbuna · 07-20-13, 03:47 PM

Thankfully it all ended well

CaptainHaplo · 07-20-13, 03:50 PM

I honor every astronaut we have ever launched (or attempted to launch) into space....

Your sitting there - looking straight up and as the count goes to 0 you remember - this thing was made by the lowest bidder.....

Platapus · 07-20-13, 03:55 PM

Its not like he could just open up and drain the fluid out.

I wonder if a flooded helmet is part of training.... it might be now.

Stealhead · 07-20-13, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Thankfully it all ended well

I have a great idea for NASA.Why not change the coolant from whatever water mixture it is now to beer?That way if there is a leak again the astronaut can just drink the floating beer.

em2nought · 07-20-13, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

I have a great idea for NASA.Why not change the coolant from whatever water mixture it is now to beer?That way if there is a leak again the astronaut can just drink the floating beer.

Better yet Tang, they could revive the brand and fund NASA off sales.

It's just a shame it was an Italian, would have been much funnier if it was a Mexican that started to feel wet on the back of his neck.

Jimbuna · 07-21-13, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

I have a great idea for NASA.Why not change the coolant from whatever water mixture it is now to beer?That way if there is a leak again the astronaut can just drink the floating beer.

I'll certainly subscribe to that idea

Platapus · 07-21-13, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em2nought

It's just a shame it was an Italian, would have been much funnier if it was a Mexican that started to feel wet on the back of his neck.

I think Alan Shepherd experienced just that.

Platapus · 07-21-13, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

I have a great idea for NASA.Why not change the coolant from whatever water mixture it is now to beer?That way if there is a leak again the astronaut can just drink the floating beer.

Stealhead to Capcom: We have a (snicker) problem.

Capcom to Stealhead: Lemme guess. Another one of your "suit coolant leaks" emergencies..... again?

Stealhead to Capcom: Afirm (belch)

Capcom to Flight: I knew that beer idea was a mistake.

Stealhead to Capcom: I gotta pee!

Wolferz · 07-21-13, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red October1984

The only thought I have is

HOW THE HELL DOES THIS HAPPEN?!

Don't forget. Every government contract is awarded to and filled by the lowest bidder.

If they had put some vino in his coolant system, there wouldn't have been a problem at all.

Dowly · 08-27-13, 01:22 PM

Video of the astronauts testing the suit, still leaking.

Quote:

ISS astronauts Luca Parmitano and Chris Cassidy tested the suit aboard the
International Space Station and found that the helmet continues to leak
water. The cause is still under investigation

07-20-13, 02:33 PM	#1
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	Astronaut nearly drowns during a spacewalk I know it sounds crazy, but its true! "US astronaut Chris Cassidy and Italy's Luca Parmitano were less than an hour into a planned six-hour outing when Mr Parmitano reported what seemed to be water inside his helmet." Coolant for his spacesuit started leaking into his helmet. They believe he had between 1 to 1.5 liters inside his helmet. He couldn't see or hear, barely able to speak, as these blobs of water covered his eye, ears and mouth. He had memorized how to get back into the station, so he worked his way back to where he could get back into the airlock. I imagine that was fun trying to do that without being able to see. Finally back in the station, the other astrnauts frantically worked to get his helmet off. Once off the water floated away, and he was ok. If that had been me, there would have been more then water in my suit! http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-1...helmet/4825472

07-20-13, 02:38 PM	#2
in_vino_vomitus XO Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Preston, Lancs, UK Posts: 418 Downloads: 137 Uploads: 0	Scary.... __________________ Forget death - I'll take dishonour! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] TMO 2.5 1.5 Optical Targeting Correction 031312 for TMO 2.5 1.5 OTC Realistic Scopes for TMO TheDarkWraith_DC_Water_Disturbance_v2_0_SH4 Improved Stock environment v3_TMO&RFB TMO_Alt_engine-sounds TMO_Alternate_JS_Radar_performance TMO17_19_different_smoke

07-20-13, 02:47 PM	#3
Red October1984 Airplane Nerd Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 6,243 Downloads: 115 Uploads: 0	The only thought I have is HOW THE HELL DOES THIS HAPPEN?! __________________

07-20-13, 02:48 PM	#4
soopaman2 Der Alte Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 3,316 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	Had to be scary, its not like you can wave the floaters away from your face with your hand, and every breath you risked sucking in a globule of coolant. Give Nasa back it's funding, we do not need any more Abrahms tanks, we need a viable orbital delivery vehicle, and (obviously) newer suits. Unless you want to keep paying the Russians for our space travel. First to the moon, need the Russians to get us up there today. Pathetic. __________________ If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons. -Winston Churchill- The most fascinating man in the world.

07-20-13, 03:47 PM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,584 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Thankfully it all ended well __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-20-13, 03:50 PM	#7
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	I honor every astronaut we have ever launched (or attempted to launch) into space.... Your sitting there - looking straight up and as the count goes to 0 you remember - this thing was made by the lowest bidder..... __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

07-20-13, 03:55 PM	#8
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,373 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Its not like he could just open up and drain the fluid out. I wonder if a flooded helmet is part of training.... it might be now. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.