Change Of Air For Spacecraft

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31318, 14 March 1967, Page 7

Change Of Air For Spacecraft

The Review Board set up to probe the cause of the fatal Apollo capsule fire has presented its third interim report It specifically recommends that pressurised oxygen no longer be used in prelaunch tests bu* does not recommend a change from the use of pure oxygen at 51b per square inch pressure for manned spaceflights. However, a re-evaluation of the relative merits of one and two-gas atmospheres was also recommended. These findings mean that the Apollo programme should be able to resume without too much delay. There have, of course, been many suggestions for making the interior of the spacecraft less vulnerable to

i fire, modifying the escape hatch for speedier exit and a thorough revision of the emergency procedures. These changes should not take more than a few months to implement and it is possible that the first manned Apollo flight will take place next August or September. In the meantime the Soviet Union may resume its manned spaceflight programme. It is two years since their last venture, which included Cosmonaut Leonov’s historic walk in space. Since then Soviet scientists have been closely studying life support systems in an effort to reduce spacesuit pressures. A lowered pressure would greatly Increase the .freedom of movement of cosmonauts working outside their cabin. However, it demands an enrichment of the oxygen content and some Russian experts are said to favour a cabin atmosphere of 40 per cent oxygen, 60 per cent nitrogen at a pressure of seven pounds per square inch. This would make possible a spacesuit pressure as low as half this value.

If the Americans resort to a two-gas system it will probably be close to that contemplated by the Russians. It is a great shame that there is next to no liaison between the major spacefaring nations on the vital matter of lifesupport in space. With a little co-operation instead of rivalry and secrecy the Apollo tragedy might have been averted.