Difference between revisions of "Atmosphere"

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Under most circumstances, if you don't get enough [[oxygen]] pressure you will get altitude sickness[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness#Altitude_acclimatization]
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==Hazards: [[Lack of Breathable Atmosphere]] and [[Improper Pressure]]==
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Under most circumstances, if you don't get enough [[oxygen]] pressure you will get altitude sickness[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness#Altitude_acclimatization], aka [[Hypoxia]].
  
 
In the extreme case of a severe leak in space, you have to consider what the Death Zone does to climbers on Everest [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_zone].
 
In the extreme case of a severe leak in space, you have to consider what the Death Zone does to climbers on Everest [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_zone].
  
 
Most desirable for long term habitats in space is somewhere around 40kPa total with about 60% oxygen.  In the event of an sudden [[depressurization]] this ratio means you do not have a hard transition to switch to your backup breathing systems.  The rest is [[Nitrogen]], [[Water Vapor|water vapor]] and trace amounts of [[Carbon Dioxide|CO2]] which can be isolated quite easily.
 
Most desirable for long term habitats in space is somewhere around 40kPa total with about 60% oxygen.  In the event of an sudden [[depressurization]] this ratio means you do not have a hard transition to switch to your backup breathing systems.  The rest is [[Nitrogen]], [[Water Vapor|water vapor]] and trace amounts of [[Carbon Dioxide|CO2]] which can be isolated quite easily.
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{{hazards}}
  
 
[[Category:Life Support]]
 
[[Category:Life Support]]
 
[[Category:Air Supply]]
 
[[Category:Air Supply]]
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[[Category:Hazards]]

Revision as of 07:30, 20 July 2007

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There are several different types of atmospheres to consider.

Lunar atmosphere[1] Earth's atmosphere[2] Atmospheric pressure on Earth[3]

The most important for Lunar development is the pressure inside your space suit or habitat. Here is a listing of the relative pressures of other environments and the percentage oxygen in each.

Location Sea Level Oxygen Pressure
Earth (21%) 101.3 kPa
Mercury Program (100%) 34.5 kPa
Apollo Program (100%) 34.5 kPa
Skylab (70%) 34.5kPa
Space Shuttle (28.5%) 70.0 kPa
Cabin Pressurization [4]


Hazards: Lack of Breathable Atmosphere and Improper Pressure

Under most circumstances, if you don't get enough oxygen pressure you will get altitude sickness[5], aka Hypoxia.

In the extreme case of a severe leak in space, you have to consider what the Death Zone does to climbers on Everest [6].

Most desirable for long term habitats in space is somewhere around 40kPa total with about 60% oxygen. In the event of an sudden depressurization this ratio means you do not have a hard transition to switch to your backup breathing systems. The rest is Nitrogen, water vapor and trace amounts of CO2 which can be isolated quite easily.

Hazards