"Orlan-DMA-GN" is used in the neutral buoyancy facility of the Yu. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and is designed for cosmonauts training under neutral buoyancy conditions for mastering the forthcoming EVA operations programs.
The tactual and muscular-arthral sensations are reduced when using the EVA-suit. Since there is an air between the space suit layers and the cosmonaut's body, the reverse affectation decreases sharply (a peculiar self-control of an organism, mostly subconscious, which flows via the feedback channels). Under conditions of outer space the impulses, coming from the muscular - arthral apparatus and from the skin receptors, do not give the idea about spatial posture and position of the body with respect to the subjects, enclosing it, and even about relationship between individual parts of the body, i.e. about "the scheme of the body".
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As for its ergonomic characteristics the given NBL-suit practically does not differ from the actual EVA-suit, which is used for the real EVA. The basic difference of the NBL-suit from the regular one is absence of life-support and communication systems. Instead of an autonomous life support system there is an air emergency supply system, which is mounted in the back rack. For provision the neutral buoyancy and indifferent equilibrium to the space suit there is a lead weight of about 30 kg on the breast, and there are special pockets on the sleeves, legs and rack for lead weights of mass about 0.5 kg.
There must be an excessive pressure permanently maintained in the "Orlan-M-GN" suit, which is equal to 0.40 kgf / sm2. The supply by ventilating air, water (for cooling system), communication, telemetry and gas analysis is carried out from the "beach" via the 50-m cable from the ground support station.
The "Orlan-DMA-GN"suts belong to the semi-rigid type. The body with a back rack is manufactured of aluminum alloy, arms and legs shells are made of soft materials.
The Main Elements of the "Orlan-DMA-GN" Suit are:
