Why astronauts prepare for the vacuum of space by diving into deep water
In short: NASA uses massive underwater facilities to simulate the weightlessness of space. This video explores how the Neutral Buoyancy Lab provides astronauts with extended periods of microgravity training, a method essential for mastering the complex physical demands of working outside a spacecraft.
The Neutral Buoyancy Lab, or NBL, in Houston is a 40-foot-deep pool designed to mimic the zero-gravity environment of space. By training underwater, astronauts can practice the intricate movements required for spacewalks in a controlled, simulated microgravity setting. This facility also serves as a site for studying the physical pressures faced by both the astronauts and the support divers who assist them during these sessions.
The history of spacewalking dates back to 1965, marking 50 years of development in extravehicular activity. The first spacewalk was performed by Soviet cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov on March 18, 1965, followed by U.S. astronaut Edward White during the Gemini IV mission on June 3 of the same year.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why spacewalk training is done under water
- Also: NASA — Spacewalk Training - NASA
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