Could We Create a Personal Re-Entry Suit for Space Travel?

  • Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of creating a small, personal re-entry vehicle for individuals to land in their own backyard. Various challenges and considerations are brought up, such as the cost and practicality of such a vehicle, as well as the potential for heat generation during re-entry. Mention is also made of existing small re-entry vehicles and a new concept being developed by Burt Rutan.
  • #1
Ivan Seeking
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So I want one. Could we make one?

Just push away from the shuttle and enjoy the ride home. Heck, if done carefully, perhaps one could land in their own back yard!
 
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  • #2
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
So I want one. Could we make one?

Just push away from the shuttle and enjoy the ride home. Heck, if done carefully, perhaps one could land in their own back yard!
Too much mass due to heat protection on reentry and aerodynamic
qualities, landing gear/shoots/engines. Too much mass => too
much money and too much waste of valuable cargo capacity on
the SS/Soyuz/whatever launch vehicle. Also, clastrophobic !

Live long and prosper.
 
  • #3
Here's something close

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/escape/skydive.html

and some other stuff

http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/30Kjumps.html [Broken]

Heat generated through reentry might be a problem when the atmosphere is too thin to slow you but I don't think it's impossible.

Raavin
 
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  • #4
Originally posted by Raavin
Here's something close

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/escape/skydive.html

and some other stuff

http://www.batnet.com/mfwright/30Kjumps.html [Broken]

Heat generated through reentry might be a problem when the atmosphere is too thin to slow you but I don't think it's impossible.

Raavin

Thank you; and interesting. I knew about some high altitude jumps at, guess where, Roswell, and I suppose that this is what gave me the idea. Although I was not really too serious, if this could be done I bet some people would pay millions to do it! If I had the money to waste, I would! That would have to be about the greatest ride of all time!

A very small re-entry vehicle aready exists for use with the space station. Also, it will be interesting to see if Burt Rutan's new re-entry concept will work.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/aviation/1998/11/proteus_rutan/ [Broken]
 
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1. What is a personal re-entry suit?

A personal re-entry suit is a specialized suit designed to protect an individual from the extreme conditions of re-entering the Earth's atmosphere from space. It is worn by astronauts and cosmonauts during re-entry to ensure their safety and survival.

2. How does a personal re-entry suit work?

The suit is made of multiple layers of specialized materials that provide insulation and protection from the intense heat and pressure of re-entry. It also has a cooling system to prevent the wearer from overheating. The suit is designed to withstand extreme temperatures and maintain a safe environment for the wearer.

3. Who invented the personal re-entry suit?

The first personal re-entry suits were developed by NASA in the 1960s for the Apollo program. The suits were continuously improved and updated over the years by various space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, and the European Space Agency.

4. How is a personal re-entry suit different from a spacesuit?

A personal re-entry suit is specifically designed for the high-speed and high-temperature conditions of re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. It is not suitable for use in space or on the surface of other planets. A spacesuit, on the other hand, is designed for use in space and on planetary surfaces.

5. How do astronauts train to wear a personal re-entry suit?

Astronauts undergo extensive training to prepare for wearing a personal re-entry suit. This includes simulations of re-entry and emergency procedures, as well as physical training to build endurance and strength. They also practice wearing the suit in a variety of environments, such as underwater or in a reduced gravity aircraft.

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