A better Space Shuttle EVA suits.

[ryan]

Hey guys, becuase AMSO has an opening and closing visor and all that, i was wondering why doesnt a space shuttle add-on do the same thing, a more realistic MMU guy. With head lights on the EMU too so when you pass through the night side of earth you can see what your doing properly.

 

[Saturn V]

Not a bad idea. Do it.

 

[ryan]

I wouldnt know how to do it, that's why i put it in add-on requests.

 

[Donamy]

 

[Brad]

SWEET! This looks really nice. Can't wait until it is out.

 

[ryan]

They look awsome, are you doing them for Space Shuttle Ultra or will this be a seperate add-on.

 

[Master of Blades]

If i'm not misstaken, I'm pirdy sure that shuttle fleet has EMUs on EVA rather than MMUs

 

[ryan]

There the same thing.

 

[DaveS]

There the same thing.

Nope. EMU is short for Extravehicular Mobility Unit, it's the name of the space suit.

MMU is short for Manned Manuevering Unit which is the name of the big rocket pack and it hasn't been used since 1985 and it was retired following the Challenger accident.

The only reason why it flew in the first place was because it had been developed by an astronaut, Bruce McCandless III.

 

[ryan]

When i ment there the same thing, they both to the same job, protect the astronauts.

 

[DaveS]

When i ment there the same thing, they both to the same job, protect the astronauts.

No they don't! The EMU is the actual space suit, in which the astronaut is in. The MMU is just a manuevering unit with small GN2 jets.

It doesn't provide any protection at all. I don't where you got that idea from.

 

[ryan]

I dont know why your so agressive when i mix up a EMU and MMU

 

[Marg]

As DaveS knows a lot about STS and its "accesories", he just wanted to clear things a bit up. Yeah, but EMU that`s what is needed. MMU is a separate thing, in Gazza`s pack in the beginning of EVA there was you as EMU, and using some sequences you could attach EMU to MMU (MMU was stored in payload bay near airlock doors).

 

[Master of Blades]

How does an EMU manouver then? Does it have a RCS, or does the astronaut need to be tethered to the spacecraft?

 

[tblaxland]

EMU suited astronauts manoeuvre by hands and feet (using handholds on the spacecraft and foot restraints on the RMS). AFAIK, they generally have a tether attached. They are also attached to a SAFER unit in the event they become untethered and out of contact with the spacecraft. I don't think SAFER is used in nominal operations, it is just a backup.

 

[DaveS]

EMU suited astronauts manoeuvre by hands and feet (using handholds on the spacecraft and foot restraints on the RMS). AFAIK, they generally have a tether attached. They are also attached to a SAFER unit in the event they become untethered and out of contact with the spacecraft. I don't think SAFER is used in nominal operations, it is just a backup.

No, SAFER is not used for nominal ops as its propellant supply is very limited. It's not a manuevering device like the MMU.

SAFER is short for Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue. It's just a personalized rescue unit, like a parachute.

 

[Master of Blades]

How come the MMU was put out of use anyway? It's not like the Challenger accident involved any malfunctioning MMU units...

It seems to be that being propelled by a rocket pack is more effective rather than moving about with your hands.

 

[DaveS]

How come the MMU was put out of use anyway? It's not like the Challenger accident involved any malfunctioning MMU units...

It seems to be that being propelled by a rocket pack is more effective rather than moving about with your hands.

The MMU was retired because the orbiter+its RMS was alot more manueverable and accurate in its manuverability than the MMU could ever dream of.

The orbiter did everything that the MMUs could do, much better. The MMUs were big and bulky and their Flight Support Systems in the payload bay wasn't much better.

Just take a look on STS-49, Endeavour's first mission. No need for the MMUs there!

 

[pete.dakota]

It seems to be that being propelled by a rocket pack is more effective rather than moving about with your hands.

Not when you're within feet of very expensive hardware. Thruster jets, however small, would damage the space station. With the use of handrails and tethers it's safer to have the astronauts move themselves around.

 

[tgep]

Hmmmmm, I've been thinking a lot about the old Gemini era AirForce A.M.U. project lately. It was the predicesor to todays MMU. Basicly, the program was scrapped due to Americas lack of EVA experiance during the Gemini program. Training in a neutral boiancy tank solved the problems but by then, the AMU had been scrapped.

I wonder if it could be revived for the Project Gemini add on ? The position for it already exists and is taken up by the jettisonable Beacon.