Why Gemini 9’s AMU test was curtailed
Why Gemini 9’s AMU test was curtailed
The planned Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU) test failed at the level of basic human mobility before Cernan could safely demonstrate the vehicle. During his 2-hour-9-minute EVA, continuous effort against the pressurized suit, heat under the limited cooling conditions, the heavy 7.5-metre tether nicknamed “the snake,” and inadequate body restraints consumed so much of his capacity that the planned AMU tasks had to be abandoned.[1][2][3][4][5]
How the workload built up
- Suit pressure: The chronology does not give a numerical pressure value, but it reports that Cernan had to work continually against the pressure suit, making his legs difficult to control. He estimated that simply maintaining his position used about 50 percent of his workload.[6]
- Heat and cooling: The suit included added protective layers because of the heat associated with the AMU’s hydrogen-peroxide rockets. Cernan’s exertion and the limited cooling situation added a significant heat burden during the EVA.[7]
- The tether: The thick, complex 7.5-metre tether was difficult to manage. Cernan called it “the snake,” and handling it further complicated movement and positioning.[8]
- Inadequate restraints: Handrails, Velcro pads, and loop foot restraints did not provide enough purchase or control. Without reliable body restraints, even relatively simple positioning became a demanding physical task.[9]
- Resulting limit: Cernan managed to put on the AMU by touch, but the combined mobility and workload problems meant he could not safely proceed to the intended powered flight and related tasks. Stafford therefore called him back inside.[10][11]
The supplied chronology does not itself describe visor fogging. Accordingly, fogging should not be treated as the cause of Gemini 9’s limitations. The account instead points to suit-pressure resistance, heat and limited cooling, tether management, poor restraints, and the resulting workload as the reasons the complex AMU demonstration was curtailed.[12][13][14][15][16]
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