Berkut spacesuit
The Berkut (Russian Беркут, meaning golden eagle) is a space suit model developed to be used for extravehicular activity for the Voskhod 2 mission aboard a Voskhod spacecraft on the first spacewalk. It was developed by NPP Zvezda in 1964–1965. It was a modified SK-1 suit. It was only used by the Voskhod 2 crew.
Description
[edit]The Berkut spacesuit had two pressurization settings, one at 0.27 atmospheres and the other at 0.40 atmospheres (nominal mode).[1] Movement within the suit was seriously restricted.
The suit includes: helmet, spacesuit, and protective clothing. The astronaut's life is maintained through the on-board life support system or the backpack-type automatic system. The safety harness has been used during spacewalks.
The helmet of the suit cannot be rotated, and it has a quick-release buckle. It includes a hard hat, a lifting visor and a light filter. The helmet is made of aluminum alloy, the size does not affect the movement of the head. The visor of the helmet is made of aluminum alloy. A light filter similar to that on an aircraft is placed inside the helmet.
The astronaut's suit has a three-layer shell - a load-bearing layer on the outside and two sealed layers (main layer and backup layer) on the inside.
The protective clothing is a bodysuit made of durable fabric and has multiple layers of vacuum insulation.
The automated system consists of a KP-55 oxygen device and three oxygen cylinders placed in a backpack. Before going into space, the astronaut must put on the backpack and secure it to the spacesuit using a suspension system. Oxygen from the cylinders is directed into the helmet, then into the shell of the spacesuit and then released into the environment. A backup oxygen supply system is also provided - through a hose from the gas cylinders installed in the air chamber. This system is capable of regulating the pressure in the spacesuit.
The safety harness is 7 m long and includes shock absorbers, steel cables, emergency oxygen supply tubes, and electrical wires.
Specifications
[edit]- Name: Berkut Spacesuit
- Derived from: SK-1 spacesuit
- Manufacturer: NPP Zvezda
- Missions: Voskhod 2
- Function: Intra-vehicular activity (IVA) and orbital Extra-vehicular activity (EVA)[1]
- Operating Pressure: 400 hPa (5.8 psi)[1]
- Suit Weight: 20 kg (44 lb)[1]
- Backpack Weight: 21 kg (46 lb)[1]
- Total Weight: 41 kg (90 lb)[1]
- Primary Life Support: 45 minutes[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Isaac Abramov; Ingemar Skoog (2003). Russian Spacesuits. Chichester, UK: Praxis Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85233-732-X.
External links
[edit]
- Video of Voskod 2 mission (Russian)
- Photo of Berkut space suit at Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow (38 & 39)
- Photo of outermost layer removed
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