Guest: Dr. Jason Reimuller: Topics: EVA spacesuit design and testing, STEM, research, courses and classes available, NASA programs, astronaut training, human spaceflight medical training and more.
We welcomed Dr. Jason Reimuller back to the program for a two segment 93 minute discussion on a wide variety of topics ranging from their EVA spacesuit design and testing program with Final Frontier and the Canadian Space Agency, to human spaceflight medical information, multiple classes offered, a variety of research programs and classes plus outreach with the three entities referenced during the program, The International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS). Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesophere), and Integrated Spaceflight Services. The best way to summarize our discussion is to once again repeat the Tags/Key Words below as they provide a good overview of the topics discussed and for the most part the order discussed.
Tags/Key Words: The International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS). Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesophere), Integrated Spaceflight Services, citizen science, EVA spacesuits, gravity off-set lab with the Canadian Space Agency, NAUI, STEM, diversity programs, noctilucent clouds, Final Frontier Design, IVA spacesuits, Space Act Agreements, spacesuit testing program, astronaut qualification program, student outcomes, upper atmosphere research, reentry vehicles, bioastronautics, flight testing, Astronautics Institute courses, life support courses, space rescue course, Orion program, SpaceX, Dragon, Starship, open source preferences for research, abort concerns, SpaceX spacesuit, Russian heritage spacesuit, positive pressure spacesuits, space capsule short sleeve no spacesuit environment, Citizen Science Institute funding, joining as a researcher, Covid-19 impact, Covid-19 spread in space environment, spacesuit fashion and design.
We talked about human factors medical issues with a class they offer, plus Jason went into detail regarding their spacesuit flight testing program. Working with them on the medical side is Dr. Shawna Pandya (her website is http://shawnapandya.com). Note the programs and courses offered. I asked our guest about the expected student outcomes across the board. Don't miss what Jason had to say regarding this inquiry.
Testing, human spaceflight medicine, bioastronautics' and science education were major discussion topics for the first segment. Note the integration of the three entities Jason talked about, both in terms of research and class work. I picked up on the fact that he mentioned doing work with NAUI. This was my scuba certifying agency and scuba instructor rating so I asked Jason if it was the same NAUI he was talking about. It was. I found it very interesting to hear about NAUI today as compared to when I was certified decades ago by a NAUI instructor while I was in the Navy in San Diego. We then turned our attention to talking about the IVA spacesuit. Our guest had much to say on this topic which I'm sure you will find most interesting. Before moving to the second segment, Jason talked about their space rescue course.
In the second segment, we led off talking about the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) and Project PoSSUM. Jason also talked about their upper atmosphere research, gravity waves disturbance and more. Marshall called to talk about why they worked with Orion and wanted to know if they were doing anything with SpaceX Dragon and Starship. Jason's response was interesting. It was based on the ease of getting data, open source and being able to work with boiler plate like versions. Jason did spend time talking SpaceX capsule recovery plus abort profiles.
Listener Sherry in Denver wanted to know if Jason and his team had done any compare and contrast with their spacesuit to what we saw SpaceX using on their Demo 2 flight. The short answer was no but listen for all the important details. Listener Jerry, then near the end of the show, asked about their researching or working with positive pressure spacesuits. Much was said on this topic so don't miss the discussion. This was followed by Alan in Atlanta wanting to know if Jason thought IVA suits were essential, even on a suborbital flight, or would the pressurized cabin be sufficient. You definitely want to hear what Jason had to say on this topic.
As we were approaching the end of our program, I asked Jason how their citizen science programs were funded. George in St. Louis sent in a note wanting to know if any of his organizations offered continuing education credits at this time. Ben from NY wanted to know the impact of Covid-19 on their operations plus he asked if there was any information about the way the virus might spread in a space environment. Before moving on, I asked Jason about his five year plan. The final question came in from Alice wanting to know if their spacesuit project paid attention to fashion and design, something other commercial vendors and SpaceX seemed to focus on along with the technical and safety issues regarding a spacesuit. Don't miss what Jason said about their spacesuits and fashion/design.
Please post your comments/questions for our guest on the blog for this program. You can reach Jason through me or any of his websites per the entities mentioned above.
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