On 2/24/2010 11:02 AM, Dr.Colon Oscopy wrote:
Structure looks pretty rugged, but "spaceglass" is just that. I
haven't seen a lot of info on the retractable window covers. They
appear to be rather thick, (crushable by design? ) and I'm wondering
as to reason for this?.

Although they seem awfully thick to me also (a lot thicker than was
shown on the NASA artwork of the cupola before the mission) they are
supposed to fulfill the dual purposes of micrometeor/space debris
protection and insulation from what I've read.
The fact that their inner surfaces are hollowed out probably makes them
look thicker than the really a
http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/ne...la-cut_400.jpg

I do not think that the covers are there for
a pressure seal as well as the design does not look robust enough for
this I haven't seen any protocol s on what needs to be done in case
of a threat to the Cupola? Just imagine anogther Progress or coming
Commercial vehicle impact. When Mir was hit I would imagine a lot of
the energy was absorbed by the solar panel before it hit the pressure
hull, hitting dead on is whole other storyh. Anybody know how fast
the retraction and deploy cycles are?

I imagine as fast as you can turn the little crank; that actually sounds
like how it's done according to this:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-10...0&tag=untagged

Pat