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| From Aquanauts to Astronauts |
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Living and Working in Extreme Environments
A person living and working in an extreme environment
must be protected from the dangers of rapid pressure changes,
while adjusting to visual changes in perspective that arise when looking through various optical media, and establishing methods for reliable and accurate communications.
These issues can be divided into three basic groups:
- Working with gases
Understanding the Boyle's Law, Dalton's Law of Partial Pressure, and the molecular behaviour of gases helps scientists understand the medical hazards related to rapid changes in ambient gas pressure. It also helps medical researchers work out strategies for working in
environments where they must breathe unusual gases.
- Optical phenomena
Much of an explorer's work is carried out looking though various optical media, such as water, lenses, and thick windows. Serious problems can occur when optical effects create unforeseen changes in the apparent spatial position of tools and objects in the explorer's workspace. In some cases unanticipated optical effects can render dangerous objects invisible.
- Sounds
Changes in the acoustic properties of the working environment can make ordinary speech difficult to understand, or even unintelligible. These problems are related to
the acoustic resonance of the environment or of the human vocal cavity.
Transparency Master
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The simplest solution to the problem of protecting humans in an extreme environment is to place the humans in a strong, sealed container (with appropriate equipment for safety and comfort).
This can make working in the environment difficult, even with robotic help. The Aquarius habitat is an example of this solution and allows humans to stay on the ocean floor at moderate depths for extended periods of time.
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Ideally, we would be able to work in an extreme environment with as little encumbering survival equipment as possible to allow for freedom of movement and ease of mobility. Simple SCUBA gear is an example of this solution for underwater work. Unfortunately this does not allow divers
to work at extreme depths, for long periods of time.
The Canadian designed diving suit (called the NEWTSUIT) shown above incorporates the advantages of a strong, sealed
container (for long, deep dives), and flexibility (for mobility and freedom of movement).
It allows divers to work up to eight hours at underwater pressures of about 2 MPa
(2,000 kPa) at depths over 300 m .
It is interesting to note that the design requirements for equipment used to live and work in space are almost identical to those needed for working in the ocean. In fact, in some ways, the design requirements for manned equipment for deep ocean diving are more demanding than those for space applications.
CSA Astronauts and Aquanauts Dave Williams and Julie Payette preparing to work in an extreme environment.
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