Cold Water Evaluation of NASA Launch Entry Suit (LES)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the National Aeronautics & Space Administrations (NASA) Launch Entry Suit (LES) with a personal flotation system and raft could provide sufficient anti-exposure protection for Space Shuttle crews to survive 24 hours of cold water immersion. Two clothing ensembles, the LES and a standard Navy flight ensemble (27/P), which served as the experimental control, were evaluated for the anti-exposure protection they provided with (LES/r and 27/P/r) and without (LES and 27/P) a derivative of the Navy LRU-18/U raft in simulated ocean conditions. Conditions were selected to simulate expected worst case water and air temperatures along projected Space Shuttle ground track, i.e., water temperatures = 4.4 C (40 F), air temperature = 5.6 C (42 F), 1 foot waves (chop), and constant spray. Four males and one female were studied once in each of the configurations. Trials with and without the raft lasted up to 24 and 6 hours, respectively. None of the subjects proved able to endure the test conditions for the planned maximum exposure periods. Mean LES trial durations were 150 + or - 9 minutes and final rectal temperatures (Tre,f) = 36.5 + or - 0.3 C. LES trials were terminated for reaching I(re) = 35.0 0.4 C or subject requested termination due to discomfort. The longest LES run was terminated due to discomfort. Mean LES/r trial durations were 398 + or - 126 minutes and final T(re) = 35.6 + or - 0.4 C. The longest LES/r trial was terminated due to subject discomfort. Keywords: Hypothermia; Immersion; Cold stress physiology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA213047
Entities
People
- A. C. Bittner
- J. P. Bagian
- J. W. Kaufman
- K. Y. Dejneka
- S. J. Morrissey
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster