17A-01 Humidity Test

The Humidity test is directed by the test leader Christiaan van Ommeren. The test checks the humidity resistance of suit elements like the helmet, the PLSS (portable life support system), the communication system and other hardware. Potential hazards within the tests are condensation and fire. The Humidity test involves three Subtests (A-C).

Subtest A: The tested temperature is set at 30° Celsius and at a RH (relative humidity) of 75%. This Subtest checks the temperature of the helmet and the PLSS. Also it checks the functionality of the communication system, the sensors and other hardware under these circumstances. The test will take about 8 minutes.

Subtest B: The tested temperature is set at 30° Celsius and at a RH of 100%. The same fields are tested, but under a higher percentage of relative humidity (temperature of the helmet and PLSS, communication system, sensor functionality, other hardware).

Subtest C: The tested temperature is set at XX° (TBC) Celsius. In this test, the functionality of the same fields as in Subtest A and B are checked but under light rain conditions. To start the test the rain simulator has to be checked and the space suit has to be transported outside. The temperature of the helmet and the PLSS are checked before starting the rain simulation (two meters over the suit). Now the same checks are carried out (temperature of the helmet and PLSS, communication system, sensor functionality, other hardware).

Experimental Results