Rescue Service for Astronauts

Even before the first manned orbital flights were launched into space in 1961, scientists were haunted by the nightmare of men stranded in orbit in disabled ships, unable to return to earth. Though 22 U.S. and Russian manned spacecraft have spent more than 1,450 hours in orbit, neither nation has developed a system that could have rescued any of them from space.

Instead, NASA officials have channeled their energy and funds almost exclusively into the prevention of space mishaps, providing spacecraft with redundant systems to take over the functions of those that fail. But the near disaster encountered by the wildly gyrating Gemini 8 and the tragic deaths of the Apollo astronauts at Cape Kennedy have convinced a growing number of experts that NASA's "redundancy techniques" have their limitations and that a space-rescue system is needed to supplement them. In a 584-page space-rescue report scheduled for release this week, the House Committee on Science and Astronautics concludes that "the question is not whether such a capability must be developed but in what form, at what times and at what costs this capability is to evolve."

Space Coast Guard. There is no shortage of ideas. Martin Marietta Corp. has proposed launching a piloted Gemini rescue spacecraft in tandem with an unmanned Gemini containing three seats. After the twin craft had rendezvoused with a disabled Apollo vehicle, for example, the three-man Apollo crew could transfer to the empty Gemini, detach it from the piloted rescue craft, and return to earth simply by firing their retrorockets.

Lockheed has suggested launching an unmanned Agena rocket to carry needed fuel, supplies or parts to a disabled ship. The Agena could even lock onto the crippled vehicle, enabling it to use the Agena's control and propulsion systems to return to earth. M.I.T. students have drawn up plans for a fleet of lifting-body rescue craft mounted on Titan 3C rockets and standing ready on launching pads--like a space-age version of the Coast Guard--to rendezvous with distressed spacecraft.

Ground-based rescue systems have serious drawbacks. The House space-rescue report estimates that the minimum time required to launch a Titan 3 rocket and rendezvous its rescue vehicle with a low-orbiting spacecraft is four hours. In addition, the orbiting, disabled ship would pass near Cape Kennedy only two or three times per day. Should a countdown be delayed long enough for the "rendezvous window" to close, the rescue ship would have to delay its flight for hours. Thus, unless the astronauts were well supplied with oxygen and in no immediate danger, the rescuers might arrive too late. NASA officials also point out that it would cost at least $1 billion to provide standby spacecraft, launch pads and rescue crews during a space flight.

Out of Reach. An attractive alternative to ground-based rescue systems is a "lifeboat" to be carried in every manned spacecraft and orbiting laboratory. General Electric has proposed a foldable, plastic, baglike device that could be expanded into a small re-entry craft with a retrorocket, heat shield and parachute. Douglas Aircraft has designed a simpler inflatable space parachute coated with metal fabric. It, too, could return a single astronaut to earth, but would require that he fire his spacecraft's retrorockets in order to begin dropping out of orbit before he abandoned ship. Other less complex lifeboats, not equipped for reentry, would be pressurized to enable astronauts forced to leave their spacecraft to live for days until rescue.

Even an effective rescue system could not cope with all the situations that can occur in space. Rescuers could not have approached Gemini 8, for example, when it was spinning out of control. The rapid decompression that would occur if a craft were penetrated by a large meteoroid might kill its passengers before they could don their spacesuits. And attempts at rescue on the way to the moon or the planets--or on the lunar surface--are still beyond the scope of current space technology.

But space-rescue systems will become increasingly necessary as traffic increases. A 1965 Martin Marietta Corp. study concluded that there will be 280 manned orbital flights between 1965 and 1985, involving about 800 men. During this period, the study estimates, there is a 62% probability that at least seven space rescues will be required in order to save the lives of 22 men.

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