Description of Driving Event:
Safety Implications of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Training in the Russian Hydrolab
Lesson(s) Learned:
The safety implications of EVA training for U.S. and international partner astronauts in the Russian Hydrolab are not well understood. In particular, the implications of higher suit pressures and Russian bends protocols have not been thoroughly analyzed.
Recommendation(s):
NASA should study the procedures used in the Russian Hydrolab to determine their safety and monitor all Hydrolab testing when U.S. astronauts are involved.
Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:
NASA concurs with the ASAP recommendation. The Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) Hydrolab facility is an established cosmonaut training facility. The GCTC Hydrolab is a neutral buoyancy training facility. The facility is an above-ground, circular tank with a maximum depth of 12 meters; however, a false floor limits the maximum useable depth to 10 meters. The false floor can be raised above the water level for positioning mockups, walk-through training, or hardware repair and modification. The standards applied to the Hydrolab's design and operations are not NASA standards but instead the Russian equivalent. NASA safety and medical representatives have performed a safety assessment of the GCTC Hydrolab facility utilizing the NASA Safety Standard for Underwater Facility and Non Open Water Operations, NSS/WS 1740.10, and other JSC requirements as a guide for directing the safety evaluation of the Hydrolab. The assessment focused on the suit hardware and its interfaces, including the effects of suit pressure/physiological depth, facility systems that support training, and pool deck systems. The Hydrolab is an acceptable facility for conducting operations with NASA personnel and equipment with one caveat, NASA medical personnel have requested that the Russians demonstrate proficiency in the use of the hyperbaric chamber at the GCTC. This demonstration was planned to occur prior to April 30, 1999. Beyond the hyperbaric chamber proficiency demonstration, the condition of this training facility does not pose a direct or unreasonable risk to U.S. personnel or vital NASA equipment. NASA and GCTC have agreed to several procedural and hardware related enhancements that will be made to the Hydrolab facility to increase the overall safety. JSC safety and medical representatives will be available in the Hydrolab as part of the test team during all suited operations in the Hydrolab and will continue to monitor safety and take further action as required. For additional information, the complete agreement is documented in EVA Project Office memo XA-99-031, dated February 18, 1999, subject: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) Hydrolab Safety For U.S. Personnel.
Documents Related to Lesson:
N/A
Mission Directorate(s):
- Space Operations
- Exploration Systems
Additional Key Phrase(s):
- Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
- Extra-Vehicular Activity
- Flight Equipment
- Ground Equipment
- Medical
- Research & Development
- Risk Management/Assessment
- Safety & Mission Assurance
- Training Equipment
Additional Info:
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