Orbital Station Breach explores the high-stakes world of space station emergency protocols, focusing on what happens during a decompression event.
The increasing number of long-duration space missions makes understanding these critical responses vital; the book highlights the physics of decompression, its impact on astronaut physiology, and the operational procedures in place to mitigate disaster.
You'll discover how a hull breach can drastically change air pressure and temperature, and the immediate effects on astronauts, such as hypoxia and barotrauma.
The book examines near-miss events and accidents, dissecting the responses of crew and ground control while comparing the protocols used by space agencies like NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos.
It emphasizes the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation of emergency protocols, considering the unique challenges of different station designs and mission profiles.
Through a blend of incident reports, technical documents, training manuals, and simulations, Orbital Station Breach offers a comprehensive look at improving training, equipment design, and decision-making under extreme pressure.