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Speedy Tuesday – Astronaut’s Knife – from survival to toolbox

  1. Robert-Jan #SpeedyTuesday Sep 12, 2017

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    [​IMG]
    Knives have always been present in manned space flight, mainly as a survival tool. Although this subject is not very well documented, it is interesting to understand why knives where taken into space and see what these knives look like. Astronaut-gear is interesting. It has strong appeal, especially on men. It looks cool, must be […]

    Visit Speedy Tuesday – Astronaut’s Knife – from survival to toolbox to read the full article.
     
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  2. blufinz52 Hears dead people, not watch rotors. Sep 12, 2017

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    Cool goggles.
     
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  3. Riviera Paradise Sep 12, 2017

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    Great article. I was wondering if you had any info on what knife was used during the Apollo 13 mission?

    If I recall correctly they had to adapt square CO2 scrubbers into round holes with sticky tape etc...I Imagine a knife would have been used useful.
     
  4. TLIGuy Sep 12, 2017

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    I don't think that a knife was used to cut the duct tape on Apollo 13. One of the properties of duct tape is that it is easily torn maintaining a straight line due to the nature of its construction.

    Below is a portion of the steps sent up to the crew to construct and adapt the CO2 canister to fit the round hole. See step #2.

    PROCEEDURE - 19 steps

    #1) Place the LCG bag over the top of the square lithium-hydroxide canister. The bag must be pulled down to just over the triangular ventilator slots on the side.

    NOTE: Be careful not to rip the bag because there are only three bags onboard.

    #2) Tear the duct tape down the middle lengthwise to double the linear length.

    #3) Seal the bag to the square canister by wrapping the duct tape around the canister where the bag opening is.

    NOTE: The tape must seal the opening to prevent leakage of air flow.

    #4) Poke or cut a hole in the middle of the top of the covering bag approximately the diameter of the hose from the red suit.

    #5) Insert the hose into the hole. Secure the hose connection into the LCG bag with duct tape.

    Also, if something did need to be cut most likely the crew would have used a pair of Weck surgical scissors carried by all the Apollo crews as seen below.

    21861949_8.jpg
     
  5. Riviera Paradise Sep 12, 2017

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    Yep, those scissors would have done the job:)
     
  6. SpeedyPhill Founder Of Aussie Cricket Blog Mark Waugh Universe Sep 12, 2017

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  7. fskywalker Sep 12, 2017

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    Thanks for sharing! [emoji1303]
     
  8. SpeedyPhill Founder Of Aussie Cricket Blog Mark Waugh Universe Sep 17, 2017

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    Part of the Gemini Survival kit: NASA photo March 17, 1965
    .
    zT_DinghyGemini.jpg
     
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  9. gvids Oct 1, 2017

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    Great article ! A Watch and a knife...all a man needs...
     
  10. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Oct 1, 2017

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    Cosmonauts don't need knives. 159088-de0adf2363ad3acb82841b7a8b0d9bb1.jpg
     
  11. gvids Oct 1, 2017

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  12. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Oct 1, 2017

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    Space Alliens ::confused2::
    upload_2017-10-1_14-0-41.jpeg
     
  13. dennisthemenace Hey, he asked for it! Oct 1, 2017

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    Survival kit for encounters with bears after re-entry landings in Siberia.
     
  14. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Oct 1, 2017

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    Ahh...