Guest:  Dr. Jason Reimuller;  Topics:  Project PoSSUM updates, spacesuit emergency water egress testing, noctilucent cloud research, human factors and more.  Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com.  Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.   

We welcomed back Dr. Jason Reimuller for Project PoSSUM updates (see www.projectpossum.org).  During our one segment 68 minute program, we started off talking about the upcoming April 2018 spacecraft egress and post-landing tests involving commercial space suits in water at the facilities of Survival Systems located in Groton, Conn.  Other topics included Project PoSSUM noctilucent cloud research, the PoSSUM Academy classes and programs, Project Otter for EVA and orbital testing, the PMC Turbo and balloon  project in Sweden and more. You can read about all of these projects on their website per the above URL.

Our discussion regarding the water egress spacesuit test was comprehensive so don't miss it.  Our guest went over many of the safety issues and concerns with commercial spacesuits, especially on reentry and landing.  He also described the commercial space suit being used which was made by Final Frontier Design out of Brooklyn, NY. We talked spacesuit characteristics, operational requirements, water and egress requirements and why the tests were being done "visor down."  Spacesuit pressures were discussed as were the operational controls available to the person wearing the suit.

Kim was our only caller for today's program.  She entered into a lengthy discussion with Jason on several issues starting with the significance of visor down in testing.  Note that our guest said this was part of a heritage issue from Russian spacesuits.  Keep in mind, one of the main Final Frontier Design company experts is from the old Soviet Union space program and was a key designer in the Russian Sokol suit.  Jason and Kim talked about the weight of the suit coming in at a light weight of 13-15 lbs. but keep in mind this was an IVA suit, designed for wearing in the spacecraft.  Jason then talked about many of the tests having been made and will continue to be made in Canada, a fact that Kim asked about given her being Canadian.  As you will hear, Canada has been very supportive and forthcoming with this type of support.  Other topics Kim and Jason mentioned included ditching in water with Kim asking about the Arctic ocean given the polar aspect of the project.   Don't miss Jason's reply.  Suborbital flights were discussed, mostly by Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, then the subject moved to spacesuit mobility questions, pressure issues, and infrastructure needed to support the suit from within the spacecraft.  As you will hear, the suit has been designed to be agnostic as to the spacecraft but don't miss all of what Jason said about this, the crew seats, and other relevant issue. 

We changed topics after Kim's tall and went to the high altitude Swedish balloon test and the PNC-Turbo project supported by NASA.  You can find out more about it here:  http://projectpossum.org/research/balloon-nlc-imagery.  In addition, Jason mentioned Project Otter for EVA spacesuit design and orbital spaceflight.  You can find out more about Otter here:  http://projectpossum.org/research/project-otter. 

We did field listener email questions.  Helen wanted to know if her Dad could be gifted one of the classes given he was about to turn 66.  Jason said yes and went over the beginning class online and on campus requirements.  Jason mentioned Dr. Erik Seedhouse, a Space Show familiar guest, and his work for Project PoSSUM.  Jason talked about Survival Systems, Inc., the company that will be doing the emergency water egress tests.  Find out more about this company at www.survivalsystemsinc.com.

Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog for this show.  You can reach Jason through his website or me.