Shuttle undocking from ISS - How Fast?

For the sake of argument, let's say an astronaut conduction an EVA
slipped out of the foot harnessed and started to float away. The only
way to resuce is for the shuttle to undock from the ISS and go get the
astronaut. How quickly could the shuttle do this?

And how would an astronaut be rescued if this happened during an EVA
with not shuttle present?

Mark Lopa wrote in :

For the sake of argument, let's say an astronaut conduction an EVA
slipped out of the foot harnessed and started to float away.

For the sake of argument, we must also assume that the astronaut failed to
follow dual-tether protocol in order for this to happen. An EVA astronaut
is *never* secured by *only* a foot harness.

The only
way to resuce is for the shuttle to undock from the ISS and go get the
astronaut. How quickly could the shuttle do this?

In the normal shuttle-ISS EVA configuration, about twenty minutes. If the
configuration were changed to get some undocking prep done in advance
(shuttle powered up, hatches closed, vestibule (but not the shuttle
airlock) depressurized), this time could be cut to as little as three
minutes.

(Mind you, undocking would *not* be the first resort - the crews would
attempt to use the SRMS and/or SSRMS to retrieve the floating crewmember
first.)

And how would an astronaut be rescued if this happened during an EVA
with not shuttle present?

During a US EVA, the astronaut activates SAFER and flies back to station.
The Russian EVA suits do not yet have an analogous system. They rely
completely on dual-tether protocol to prevent this from happening in the
first place. EVA training puts a *strong* emphasis on this. Like rock-
climbing, job one is *always* to know where your tethers are.

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Mark Lopa writes:

For the sake of argument, let's say an astronaut conduction an EVA
slipped out of the foot harnessed and started to float away. The only
way to resuce is for the shuttle to undock from the ISS and go get the
astronaut.

This is false, at least for US suits. US suits can carry SAFER for
EVA's, which makes it possible for the astronaut to save himself.

http://nasaexplores.nasa.gov/show2_9...=03-050&gl=912

And how would an astronaut be rescued if this happened during an EVA
with not shuttle present?

Obviously SAFER handles this situation.

If you're using Russian suits, I'm sure you pay very careful attention
to having a secure connection to ISS.

Jeff
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"Jorge R. Frank" wrote in message ...
During a US EVA, the astronaut activates SAFER and flies back to station.
The Russian EVA suits do not yet have an analogous system.

"Ustanovka Samospasenya Kosmonavtov" (U.S.K.)?

http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRhe...06/FR0306a.htm

Though was the USK onboard the I.S.S.?

http://au.geocities.com/kosmonavtka2/sea_eagle.html

They rely completely on dual-tether protocol to prevent this
from happening in the first place. EVA training puts a *strong*
emphasis on this. Like rock-climbing, job one is *always* to
know where your tethers are.

Rock climbing at a height of around 400 km. SAFER/USK or no SAFER/USK,
the tethers are very important. Jet backpacks after all is not
mandatory for high-rise building costruction, scaffolding on the other
hand.

Anyway. I don't think that they should let people do this sort of
things too much.

Humanoid robotic worker should be used, the space station be should
made as modular as possible, and most of the space station servicing
should be able be done from the inside.

Mark Lopa wrote in message ...
For the sake of argument, let's say an astronaut conduction an EVA
slipped out of the foot harnessed and started to float away. The only
way to resuce is for the shuttle to undock from the ISS and go get the
astronaut. How quickly could the shuttle do this?

And how would an astronaut be rescued if this happened during an EVA
with not shuttle present?

What would you use to rescue someone that fell overboard?

A lifeboat or a frigate?

A lifeboat of course!

And the I.S.S.'s current lifeboat is...

(EAC) wrote in
:

"Jorge R. Frank" wrote in message
...
During a US EVA, the astronaut activates SAFER and flies back to
station. The Russian EVA suits do not yet have an analogous system.

"Ustanovka Samospasenya Kosmonavtov" (U.S.K.)?

http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRhe...06/FR0306a.htm

Though was the USK onboard the I.S.S.?

http://au.geocities.com/kosmonavtka2/sea_eagle.html

Nope, not yet, unless they've snuck them up there recently. Note that the
second link above says:

"The USK, Cosmonaut Self-Rescue Device, was not yet onboard, so it has not
been worn during any Orlan vykhody to date."

This is still true, AFAIK.

--
JRF

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check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and
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"Jorge R. Frank" wrote in message
...
(EAC) wrote in

"The USK, Cosmonaut Self-Rescue Device, was not yet onboard, so it has not

Ok, that's really bad when you read that as "Cosmonaut Self-Destruct Device"


been worn during any Orlan vykhody to date."

This is still true, AFAIK.

--
JRF

Reply-to address spam-proofed - to reply by E-mail,
check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and
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