Re: Space Tourist Spacesuits

From: Joe Strout (joe_at_strout.net)
Date: 02/21/05 

Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 16:42:55 -0600

In article <ICA0J5.Kto@spsystems.net>,
 henry@spsystems.net (Henry Spencer) wrote:

> >Now what about dust. I thought the Moon's dust was very abrasive?
>
> Indeed so. The expendable overgloves that later Apollo missions carried
> were often in tatters after only a couple of days of surface activity.
> And joints and mechanical parts were already giving trouble due to dust --
> Schmitt's sun visor had stopped working entirely, for example. A later
> analysis suggested that an Apollo suit was good for at most a dozen 8-hour
> moonwalks, and even that assumed more time and better facilities for suit
> cleaning and minor repairs.
>
> Whether Mars dust has similar properties is unknown.

It seems unlikely though, given the thickish atmosphere and high winds,
which tumbles the dust and would erode the rough edges over time.

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