The experience in operation and improving the Orlan-type space suits

Area of Science:

• Space Engineering
• Human Spaceflight
• Cosmonautics

Background:

• Russia has significant experience with the Orlan semi-rigid space suit for extravehicular activity (EVA).
• Cosmonaut safety and operational efficiency during EVA are critically dependent on space suit functionality and ergonomics.
• Evolving mission complexity necessitates continuous advancement in EVA space suit systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present operational results and analyze key issues of the Orlan space suit.
• To detail the modifications and specific features of Orlan suit versions (Orlan-D, Orlan-DM, Orlan-DMA).
• To describe the safety concept for suited cosmonauts and identify future improvement trends.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of operational data from Salyut and MIR space stations.
• Review of space suit modifications and design evolution.
• Examination of cosmonaut safety protocols and performance metrics.

Main Results:

• The Orlan space suit has undergone several modifications (Orlan-D, Orlan-DM, Orlan-DMA) to meet increasing mission demands.
• Operational analysis identified critical factors influencing cosmonaut vital activities, ergonomics, and overall mission success.
• The paper details specific features and advancements of the Orlan suit series.

Conclusions:

• Continuous improvement of the Orlan space suit is essential for astronaut safety and mission effectiveness.
• Understanding past performance and challenges informs future design directions for EVA systems.
• The evolution of the Orlan suit reflects the growing demands of complex space missions.