WashPost: EVA was "risk not worth taking"

JimO: Juicy but obsolete safety memos may make Washington headlines, but my
impression is the debate was lively and in the end led to adequate
preparations for acceptable safety levels -- right?

Crew to Exit Space Station In Exercise -- Ground Control Would Monitor Empty
Craft
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Feb22.html
By Kathy Sawyer, Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 23, 2004; Page A01

U.S. managers of the international space station are moving ahead with plans
for an unusual spacewalk this week despite misgivings last summer that the
exercise was "a risk not worth taking," according to newly obtained
documents.

The spacewalk, planned for Thursday, calls for the American astronaut and
the Russian cosmonaut aboard the space station to be outside the craft at
the same time, leaving ground-based controllers to fly the station and no
one inside to monitor systems directly or assist in a crisis. Although the
Russians have made about 50 such spacewalks, this would mark the first for
the U.S.-led space station.

In July, according to the NASA document, space station managers wanted to
"disapprove the inclusion of the EVA" -- or extra-vehicular activity, as the
spacewalk is called -- even though their Russian partners were pushing for
it. Today, the same managers vigorously defend the exercise, including
months spent preparing for it, as an invaluable learning experience that
will help them keep the station safe and lighten the work of future crews.

Some NASA insiders and others have expressed concern that the shift may
reflect unwarranted acceptance of increasing risk -- one of the factors that
led to the disintegration of the space shuttle Columbia just over a year
ago.

JimO wrote:
U.S. managers of the international space station are moving ahead with plans
for an unusual spacewalk this week despite misgivings last summer that the
exercise was "a risk not worth taking," according to newly obtained
documents.

At NASA, it seems that anything that hasn't been done before is either
impossible or a risk not worth taking. After Columbia, it was immediatly
deemed impossible to EVA to fix tiles or even take a look at the belly. Now ,
they are doing it.

Russians have made about 50 such spacewalks, this would mark the first for
the U.S.-led space station.

First, for the last year and now for the next year, this isn't a "US led"
station. It is very much a Russia led station. And this is a russian EVA,
with russian suits, using the russian airlock. (Lets remember that the USA
suits have been grounded due to possible contamination (anyone got news on
that ?)

A few days ago, Foale and Kaleri practiced putting on the Orlans and checking
their systems out, including comms etc. Again, no problem because they are
only 2. After the crew was downsized to 2, NASA also tested whether it was
possible to put on the suits without a 3 crewmember. And that seemed to work
just fine.

Seriously, what could a 3rd person do if there were a problem ? In fact, a
3rd person would have been a problem and required the Soyuz be moved because
it will now be isolated from station by a vacuumed Piers (DC1) airlock.

I think NASA automatically voices such concerns to shift all responsabilitie
to the Russians.


Also, considering the various "noises" and "debris", hopefully this spacewalk
will put all the speculation to rest once and for all. And as long as the
crewmembers are comfortable with doing the spacewalk, I have no problem with it.

Some NASA insiders and others have expressed concern that the shift may
reflect unwarranted acceptance of increasing risk --

I see a big difference between allowing Shuttle operations when you know about
form problems compared to allowing an EVA done by Russians with russian suits
and procedures without a 3rd cremembers who'd be twiddling his thumbs or
manipulating cameras so he could see what was going on.

This isn't the installation of a piece of truss that requires the arm big
time. It is just a spacewalk on the russian segment. So I really don't see
what the 3rd person could bring in terms of extra security.

If something happens, it is the other EVA cosmonaut who will bring the other
back into the airlock and a 3rd crewmember couldn't do anything until the
airlock is repressurized.


The way I see it, NASA has purposefully made EVAs look far more dangerous than
they really are, perhaps to make an EVA as really big perk given only to a few
select astronauts. If you use common sense follow basic rules, are EVAs really
that dangerous ? (yes, I kno, you can lose you life if you don't follow those
rules, but then again, the same happens to walking in a city).

Also, considering the various "noises" and "debris", hopefully this spacewalk
will put all the speculation to rest once and for all.

What if they find major debris impact damage. can the station survive unmanned
for a 6 months?

(Hallerb) wrote in message ...

Also, considering the various "noises" and "debris", hopefully this spacewalk
will put all the speculation to rest once and for all.

What if they find major debris impact damage. can the station survive unmanned
for a 6 months?

What major debris damage would not have been noticed by systems
failing in some or another part of the station by now ?

Anything damaging the outside would at least have taken out the outer
skin, leaving the inside to weither freeze or overheat.

No such thing has been noticed.

Anything they find would just cause them to stay on anyway, perhaps
sleeping a bit closer to Soyuz.

Regards

Carsten Nielsen
Denmark

What major debris damage would not have been noticed by systems
failing in some or another part of the station by now ?

Anything damaging the outside would at least have taken out the outer
skin, leaving the inside to weither freeze or overheat.

No such thing has been noticed.

Anything they find would just cause them to stay on anyway, perhaps
sleeping a bit closer to Soyuz.

Regards

Carsten Nielsen
Denmark


Well time will tell. how abiout a outer skin damage that didnt quite make it
thru the inner pressure vessel? It might be behind equiptement and not noticed.

They really need a easy inspect outside of station and monitor debris coming
and going at all times to discover small problems before they become big.