The Importance of a Liquid Cooled Garment for Extravehicular Activity

Clifford Hall, Room 210

The liquid cooling and ventilation garment (LCGV) is a lifeline for astronauts working in space. Without the use of the LCVG, astronauts would be subject to the extreme temperature swings of the outside environment and inevitably create a hostile environment within the extravehicular mobility unit (EMU). This paper will discuss the physiological and psychological reactions related to extreme body temperature changes. Furthermore, a discussion is provided detailing how different environments influence the thermal efficiency of the LCVG in relation to varying workloads. Two Personal interviews with former astronauts with extravehicular activity (EVA) time, as well as a literature review, will lend insight regarding how the LCVG interacts with the body in extreme environments. The findings revealed that without the use of the LCVG, astronauts are incapable of completing even the simplest mission tasks due to the extreme temperatures they encounter.