7 HOLES in the Space Station - Smarter Every Day 135

TL;DR

Astronauts use a mechanical system with O-ring seals to open and close windows on the International Space Station's cupola module.

Transcript

Ok, it's Destin. - Deh, it's Dustin.. - Destin, Destin. - Destin. - You got it. - OK, I've got it. - [laughs] Alright here's the deal. We are with Don Pettit. - Have you thought of changing your name to something that's easier to pronounce? - Just think of the module, there's a Destiny module right over there. - OK, hey it's me Destin, welcome back... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥡 The cupola module on the International Space Station is where many of the pictures of Earth are taken from.
• 🌃 Astronaut Don Pettit is known for his stunning photography of cities at night and the aurora from the cupola.
• ⏯️ Engineer Charlie VanValkenburgh played a significant role in designing the cupola shutter system, which is still in use today.
• 😋 The cupola shutter system uses O-ring seals and a rotating mechanism to maintain a pressure seal and protect the windows.
• 👨‍🚀 Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti demonstrates how to open and close the cupola shutters manually from inside the space station.
• 👨‍🚀 Following astronauts and space agencies on Twitter allows for access to amazing photos and insights from space.
• 😋 O-rings play a critical role in the cupola shutter system, compressing to maintain a seal against the vacuum of space.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do cupola shutters protect windows in space?

Cupola shutters have a mechanical system with O-ring seals that protect windows from micro meteorites and radiation, while also insulating against the space environment.

Q: Can cupola shutters be operated from the outside of the space station?

No, cupola shutters can only be opened and closed from the inside by turning a knob that controls a series of O-rings and a rotating mechanism.

Q: What would happen if there was a leak in the cupola's shutters?

A leak would cause a loss of air in the space station, and the cupola would likely be sealed off until the mechanism could be replaced, possibly requiring a spacewalk.

Q: How does the cupola shutter system maintain a pressure seal between the inside and outside of the space station?

The cupola shutter system uses rotating O-ring seals and a series of O-rings to maintain a pressure seal, ensuring that air is held back from the vacuum of space.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Astronaut Don Pettit explains that the cupola's shutters protect windows from micro meteorites and radiation, and can only be controlled from the inside.

• Engineer Charlie VanValkenburgh designed the cupola shutter system with rotating O-ring seals to maintain a pressure seal between the inside and outside of the space station.

• The design has been flawlessly operating for 20 years, and Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti demonstrates how to open and close the shutters manually.