Interesting choice. Some sort of airlock module attached to the hatch seems like a better idea, but maybe that isn't possible. Hope those EVA suits work well since there's a 4x chance for failure with all 4 of them facing the harshness of space. Same goes for the internal capsule controls/modules/computers.

[–] burble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 1 month ago (7 children)

Gemini and Apollo both did spacewalks by venting the crew capsule. Hardening the electronics for vacuum is also really helpful in case of an emergency depressurization. I have no idea if Dragon was originally designed with that in mind, but Orion was. The flexibility to spacewalk in the same suits and without an extra airlock could also come in handy for future planned or emergency servicing missions.

[–] ryrybang@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (6 children)

Yes, but Gemini and Apollo were 50+ years ago. Airlocks are likely safer for everyone since ISS and shuttle spacewalks all used them. I think the ISS one also allows prebreathing in the hours before spacewalks to minimize chances of the bends.

And good point about hardening the electronics and equipment. That has to be a requirement regardless I guess since a depressurization could happen on any flight. But depressurizing then repressurizing them during flight increases the risk of something happening compared to not doing it.

[–] ptfrd@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago

That has to be a requirement regardless I guess since a depressurization could happen on any flight.

Yes, this has been pointed out by the crew (IIRC) in an interview about the mission. (Not to suggest that no work was needed on the issue, just less work than people might expect. Obviously it can be the case that taking an unlikely contingency scenario and making it a deliberate part of a mission, raises the level of assurance needed.)

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