Space suits of the future

The Extravehicular Displacement Unit (EMU) is comprised of the spacesuit unit, primary life support system, control module, display, and other crew items designed for spacewalking and emergency life support. The space suit protects them from fatal external conditions (heat, cold, ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, absence of atmospheric pressure…). Without the presence of the Earth's atmosphere to filter sunlight, the side of the spacesuit facing the sun can reach temperatures of up to 121°C, the other side, exposed to darkness, can reach -157°C.

A variant of this suit is used as a safety measure during launch and re-entry to Earth, which protects them from the extreme conditions they must endure, as a consequence of the very high speeds they experience (27,000 km/h). It is reddish in color, so that it is more easily recognized and also has a radio beacon, flares, water, food rations, parachutes, floats and other survival equipment (in case an accident occurs and they have to abandon the spacecraft in flight or when falling on water).

The suits are made of different fabrics, which can form multiple layers, since they provide particular characteristics. The outer part, known as the micrometeroid thermal garment, is made up of seven layers. The outermost one is made of white reflective material based on Gore-Tex and Nomex. As a result, much of the harmful electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun, such as ultraviolet radiation, does not reach the astronauts' bodies. It also insulates thermally, by reflecting infrared radiation, thus maintaining a constant temperature inside. In turn, this color contrasts with the black of space, which makes it easy to locate the astronaut.

1. Synthesize the news you just read and draw its main conclusions.

2. The news talks about ultraviolet radiation. What kind of radiation is it?

a) Natural and ionizing
b) Artificial and ionizing
c) Natural and non-ionizing

3. The news describes that the side of the spacesuit facing the sun can reach temperatures of up to 121°C, the other side, exposed to darkness, can reach -157°C.

3.a) How many degrees Kelvin (K) would be 121 ºC?

a)394 K.
b) 391 K.
c) 294 K.

3.b) How many degrees Fahrenheit (F) would be 121ºC?

a) 200,0 ºF.
b) 138,0 ºF.
c) 249,8 ºF.

3.c) Is it possible to have negative Kelvin and Fahrenheit degrees?

a) No, because it works in absolute values
b) Yes, just like degrees Celsius or Centigrade
c) Fahrenheit yes, but Kelvin no

4. Could you identify the planets of the solar system that appear in the image?

5. Investigate whether the so-called "Big Bang" explosion that gave rise to the formation of the universe is related to any of the following types of radiation:

a) Background radiation
b) Solar radiation
c) Ultraviolet radiation

6. At present it is known that the Planet Earth revolves around the Sun (Heliocentric Theory), but this consideration has not always been taken, until the 16th century the Geocentric Theory was accepted. To which historical period does the 16th century belong?

a) Middle Ages
b) Baroque
c) Renaissance

7. What character was fundamental in the conception of the Heliocentric theory in Ancient Greece?

a) Aristarco de Samos.
b) Ptolomeo.
c) Copérnico.

8. Gore-Tex and Nomex are mentioned in the news. Have you ever heard of Gore-Tex?

Even if it seems like a lie, it would not be surprising if you have it in a closet in your house. Learn more about this technology. Search the Internet for information about Gore-tex, what it consists of and what it is used for. You will be surprised by the many applications it has. When you are researching this topic, you will surely see the symbol ® after the word Gore-Tex on more than one occasion. Do you know what this symbol means?

9. Did you know that there is a type of ionizing radiation that comes from space?

We are referring to cosmic radiation, and despite the fact that the atmosphere prevents a large part of this radiation from reaching the Earth's surface, a part does reach us. In fact, the amount of this cosmic radiation that we will receive depends on several factors, including the altitude at which we are. How does altitude affect the amount of cosmic radiation we receive?

a) The higher the altitude, the lower the dose of cosmic radiation we receive
b) Altitude has virtually no effect on the dose of cosmic radiation we receive
c) The dose of cosmic radiation received increases proportionally to the altitude