Emily Rodriguez
When we think of space, we often think of the vastness of it all, the infinite void that exists beyond our planet’s atmosphere. It’s a place that is often associated with the unknown, the mysterious, and the dangerous. Indeed, space is a harsh environment for humans, and it’s only thanks to advances in technology that we are able to explore it at all. One aspect of this technology that is crucial to human spaceflight is the use of 100% oxygen.
But why do astronauts breathe 100% oxygen? The answer lies in how the human body works and how it responds to the stresses of space travel. Normally, the air we breathe is made up of around 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, with small amounts of other gases. However, at high altitudes and in the vacuum of space, the pressure and composition of the air change dramatically. This can have serious effects on the human body, including decompression sickness (also known as “the bends”) and hypoxia, a lack of oxygen in the body’s tissues.
To combat these issues, NASA and other space agencies use a system known as the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), which provides astronauts with a supply of 100% oxygen to breathe while they are performing spacewalks or other activities outside of their spacecraft. The EMU is a complex piece of equipment that includes a number of different components, including a pressure garment, a cooling system, and a helmet with a built-in oxygen supply.
The use of 100% oxygen is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it reduces the risk of decompression sickness, which occurs when gas bubbles form in the body as a result of rapid changes in pressure. Secondly, it ensures that the body receives enough oxygen to function properly, even in the low-pressure environment of space. Finally, it makes it easier for astronauts to breathe, as the pure oxygen requires less effort to inhale.
Although the use of 100% oxygen is essential for spacewalks and other activities outside of the spacecraft, it is not used all the time. Inside the spacecraft, astronauts typically breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, similar to the air we breathe on Earth. However, the exact composition of the air may vary depending on a number of factors, including the mission and the spacecraft’s life support systems.
In conclusion, the use of 100% oxygen is vital for human spaceflight, as it helps to ensure the safety and well-being of astronauts during spacewalks and other activities outside of their spacecraft. The technology involved in providing this oxygen supply is complex and sophisticated, but it plays an important role in allowing humans to explore the vast, unknown frontier of space.