BBC Focus Magazine

[Anonymous1952]

"One Giant Leap" in the Summer issue cites at least twice how the Stratos space suit could have helped prevent the loss of life in the Columbia tragedy.

My recollection of the report on the accident is that the astronauts probably did not have enough time to have been able to have gotten on the suits. One or more of the astronauts may have perished while trying to get into their space suits.

The article implies that one or more persons are needed to assist in donning the Stratos suit. In the event of an accident, what happens to the last person?

The other is that the magnitude of Columbia's failure means that astronauts would most likely have been unable to clear the explosions and debris. For escape and survival to have been possible, the Shuttle probably needed to quickly free itself of the failing boosters before the astronauts could exit.

Some of the same problems exist in the Stratos' use for space tourists. In the event of an accident, would the tourists have adequate time to don the suit? That would be made more difficult since tourists would not have had extensive astronaut training in the handling of such equipment. If the vehicle is out of control or breaking up, how would the tourists safely exit?

Exiting the Stratos capsule which will be constantly monitored and controlled by a ground crew is dramatically different than an emergency exit of a failing vehicle.

Part of the solution may be that astronauts and tourists may need to be in the suits for launch and reentry.

In articles such as this, I wish Focus would go a bit deeper rather than repeat without comment what almost feels to be promotional releases especially for Branson's Virgin Galatic.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Some thought provoking points there Anonymous1952 and I am sure the good people at Focus central will take them on board, although as I understand it although the astronauts of the Columbia space shuttle would indeed require help donning the Stratos suits that help can be administered by someone already in a suit.

As to clearing the debris field I am pretty sure that the crew knew they had very little chance of survival and had the Stratos suits been available they would have jumped from the shuttle long before it began to break-up.

The real problem as I see it is surface friction heating caused by interaction with the atmosphere and the said suits, in which case some sort of inflatable kevlar shield might have been useful, designs for which have been considered for the safe return of small orbital items of hardware that lack a heat shield..