Why Trapping Somebody In Space Only Takes A Breeze (And Other Highlights From Expedition 40)

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European Space Agency astronaut Alex Gerst during training prior to Expedition 40/41 in 2014. Credit: European Space Agency

Imagine that you were in the middle of a module on the International Space Station. Floating in mid-air, far from handholds or any way to propel yourself. Is there any way to get out of that situation?

The short answer is not easily, and the longer answer is it could be an effective way to trap criminals in space, joked veteran cosmonaut Maxim Suraevin a press conference today (March 18) for the upcoming Expedition 40/41 mission, which also includes rookies Alex Gerst and Reid Wiseman.

Speaking in Russian, Suraevexplained that during his last 2010 mission, he had crew members set him up in the middle of the stations Node 3.It is true that you can twist asmuch as a contortionist, but youwont be able to move because youhave nothing to bear against, he said in remarks translated into English.

That said, the ventilation system on station does tend to push objects (and people) towards the vents after a time, he observed. What if you had multiple vents set up, however?

I thought that if ever we have apermanent human habitation in space,this would be the best way to keep aperson confined like in a prison inthe middle of the room, where he orshe could not move anywhere, Suraev continued.Being inlimbo, as you will. The only thing that is required is alarge room, a person and several fansblowing in different directions tokeep the person in the middle of theroom. Thats scary, trust me!

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman does spacewalk training in a partial gravity simulator ahead of his Expedition 40/41 flight in 2014. Credit: NASA

Theres no fear on Suraevs part that it will happen with his crewmates, however. My new crew, theyre really good guys and Im really looking forward to being with my new crew in space, and to spend five and a half months aboard the space station, he said in an English phone interview after the press conference. (Good news given that Suraevwill assume command of Expedition 41.)

The crew (who lifts off in May) will have an action-packed mission. It will include the arrival of the last Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and if NASA fixes on a spacesuit leak allow two American maintenance spacewalks. There also are 162 experiments to perform (this according to Gerst) and if theres time, checking out our home planet.

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Why Trapping Somebody In Space Only Takes A Breeze (And Other Highlights From Expedition 40)