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Peter P
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Keylime
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Kruunch
So the ISS runs Earth normal atmospheric pressure, thus it runs about the same oxy/nitrogen mix we find on Earth.
To make the constant EVAs work (normally a 2.5 hour depressurization procedure) the author makes the ship have the same pressure as the suit (about a third of Earth normal), thus mitigating the need for depressurization for an EVA.
The issue here of course is to compensate for the lower pressure in EMUs, they are pumped with 100% Oxygen. NASA does that with the strict agreement the astronaut won't light a cigarette while on an EVA.
Now the problem with doing this in a ship/station is that there are a ton of metal parts in a low humidity setting. One spark and thar she blows!
(not to mention the author has the MC lighting a candle (parafin taper) not too far after explaining the lowered pressure of the ship).
It was the only real gotcha of the book that stood out to me (Andy Weir had a similar gotcha in the Martian with the air pressure effects on Mars)
To make the constant EVAs work (normally a 2.5 hour depressurization procedure) the author makes the ship have the same pressure as the suit (about a third of Earth normal), thus mitigating the need for depressurization for an EVA.
The issue here of course is to compensate for the lower pressure in EMUs, they are pumped with 100% Oxygen. NASA does that with the strict agreement the astronaut won't light a cigarette while on an EVA.
Now the problem with doing this in a ship/station is that there are a ton of metal parts in a low humidity setting. One spark and thar she blows!
(not to mention the author has the MC lighting a candle (parafin taper) not too far after explaining the lowered pressure of the ship).
It was the only real gotcha of the book that stood out to me (Andy Weir had a similar gotcha in the Martian with the air pressure effects on Mars)
Stelleri
I just read the answer. It's in Chapter 25, the section on mucking out the fuel tanks. They can't live in elemental nitrogen. They can manage nitrogen compounds (like ammonia and the atmosphere in the Hail Mary).
Sav
The lack of swearing is comical. He says, "gosh darn," and "heck."
Steve
It's one of many, many, MANY science errors in this book. It's a shame that the science in this book is such trash after the author really seemed to try to get it right in The Martian.
Beth Wilhite
Main character is a high school science teacher so not much swearing.
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