A preliminary investigation inot the feasibility of using handrails as an aid to the astronaut in moving from one location to another within or outside a space vehicle was undertaken in a Jc-131B zero-G airplane. Eight subjects wearing flying coveralls (one whom also performed the tests wearing an inflated fullpressure suit) moved from one point to another aided by a single handrail or two parallel handrails. Eight conditions were investigated with the parallel handrails spaced from 6 to 36 inches apart and one with the single handrail. All subjects were successful in moving across the surface and turning around using both the single and parallel handrails. Motion picture films were taken to evaluate the body positions and ease of movement. The most common position appeared to be one in which the elbows and knees were slightly bent and the torso was nearly parallel to the surface. The parallel handrails spaced from 16 to 24 inches apart appeared to provide the greatest body stability.
展开▼
