General Vac Suits
- Thread starter gchuck
- Start date
I was thinking a TL 10-12 suit. Something available on most populated worlds with average tech.
and in classic, each level of vacc suit gives +4 (!) for saves against dangerous situations. no real idea about how long it takes to put on, though it also depends on the plumbing if you've got that (and assume you do).
But as per Infojunky, the higher the TL the faster seems reasonable as some of that plumbing may be easier or faster.
But as per Infojunky, the higher the TL the faster seems reasonable as some of that plumbing may be easier or faster.
Spinward Flow
SOC-14 1K
There's also the "goes on loose, but touch a switch and it shrink wraps to a vacuum packed body hugging fit" aesthetic that started showing up in Evangelion with the plugsuits (and a lot of anime thereafter, because of how popular Evangelion was).
In that case, the tech made perfect sense because the plugsuits were to be worn inside a LIQUID filled capsule, so you don't want all that excess air inside the suit getting in the way, adding unnecessary bulk+buoyancy that the pilot would need to "fight" in order to do anything while piloting a giant robot.
It's also a "suitably high tech" engineering solution to the problem of vacc suits that allows them to be donned (or doffed) quickly without assistance.
In that case, the tech made perfect sense because the plugsuits were to be worn inside a LIQUID filled capsule, so you don't want all that excess air inside the suit getting in the way, adding unnecessary bulk+buoyancy that the pilot would need to "fight" in order to do anything while piloting a giant robot.
It's also a "suitably high tech" engineering solution to the problem of vacc suits that allows them to be donned (or doffed) quickly without assistance.
Looks RL like 5-15 minutes for a soft suit inside the spacecraft, and 2.5 hours for EVA. Much longer prep for the prebreathing to avoid bends.
The Russian suit is faster to get into because the entry hatch is in the back, and their higher pressure could mean less prebreathing prep at the expense of flexible movement. Otherwise similar operating speeds.
So environment biomedical concerns burns more time then the suits themselves.
Also fun fact, EVA suits are multimillion dollar affairs.
So we don’t have narrative time for all that.
My shortcut would be to use the CT or soft suit type as the in spacecraft version and past TL8-9 more like putting on coveralls, with just the oxygen to ship hose. Then the various heavy environmental suits are EVA capable, use the rear hatch system with the suit ready to go.
For avoiding the bends, magic drug, my working name is Nitrox, gets the nitrogen out fast. Auto inject for higher end suits, takes 20 minutes. Good for dives too. Pushes believability but we got stories to tell.
But does give you time for a typical CT/HG turn to suit up in prep for controlled decompression which you should be doing anyway.
The rescue bubbles are of course 5 minute zip affairs, but not good for any length of time.
Of course your heroes can make the decision to go for it and risk the bends, or run high pressures and take negative task DMs.
Could be at higher TLs the suit materials can maintain flexibility at higher pressures and so pop into the suit and go is reasonable.
The Russian suit is faster to get into because the entry hatch is in the back, and their higher pressure could mean less prebreathing prep at the expense of flexible movement. Otherwise similar operating speeds.
So environment biomedical concerns burns more time then the suits themselves.
Also fun fact, EVA suits are multimillion dollar affairs.
So we don’t have narrative time for all that.
My shortcut would be to use the CT or soft suit type as the in spacecraft version and past TL8-9 more like putting on coveralls, with just the oxygen to ship hose. Then the various heavy environmental suits are EVA capable, use the rear hatch system with the suit ready to go.
For avoiding the bends, magic drug, my working name is Nitrox, gets the nitrogen out fast. Auto inject for higher end suits, takes 20 minutes. Good for dives too. Pushes believability but we got stories to tell.
But does give you time for a typical CT/HG turn to suit up in prep for controlled decompression which you should be doing anyway.
The rescue bubbles are of course 5 minute zip affairs, but not good for any length of time.
Of course your heroes can make the decision to go for it and risk the bends, or run high pressures and take negative task DMs.
Could be at higher TLs the suit materials can maintain flexibility at higher pressures and so pop into the suit and go is reasonable.
Spinward Flow
SOC-14 1K
That's because they're Configuration: 7 small craft ...
... so to speak. EVA suits are rather literally "man-sized spacecraft" complete with life support. Not only do they need to protect the occupant against pressure, but also thermal gradients (sunlight gets too hot, shadows get too cold) as well as the ever present radiation (particle, ionizing, cosmic rays, etc.).
That's primarily a problem with pressurized gas bag suits, because you're basically wearing a balloon.
The alternative is to use tight weave compression suits instead that are form fitting and apply the necessary pressure through elastic tension/compression rather than through use of air pressure in a balloon bag.
If you want to know more ...
mike wightman
SOC-14 10K
Ship combat says:
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
What you want is a second skin, that protects you from vacuum environment, and doesn't get itchy.
Or scratchy.
Or scratchy.
Spinward Flow
SOC-14 1K
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
We tend to operate optimally at a certain range of temperatures and air pressure, plus a certain air make up.
Skintight might actually be made up of capillaries, that maintain that within the suit material, but is tight enough so that movement isn't impeded, noticeably.
Skintight might actually be made up of capillaries, that maintain that within the suit material, but is tight enough so that movement isn't impeded, noticeably.
Spinward Flow
SOC-14 1K
The main problem with skintight weave suits is ... tailoring.
You kinda sorta need to custom fit the suits to the wearer (with our present technology level).
Presumably at higher tech levels with "memory materials" (and computer control thereof!) that can change shapes, you CAN achieve the "baggy overalls when donning/doffing but then touch a button to tighten to a body conforming skintight shape" functionality in wearability that is more of a universal body shape rather than being (custom) tailored to fit each individual.
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
You could have an autotailor.
The question would be how much it costs, and how long it takes.
Boots and helmets could be more standardized.
The question would be how much it costs, and how long it takes.
Boots and helmets could be more standardized.
Which made me think of the 'tailored TL F vac suits' the Scouts are issued, which AFIAK are measured by 3D mapping, and then produced.
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
Twenty years ago laser tailoring was being trialed, and shortly after that, body scans.
About ten years ago, computer scans showing how clothing designs looked on the customer, so not just tailored, but haute couture vacuum suits.
About ten years ago, computer scans showing how clothing designs looked on the customer, so not just tailored, but haute couture vacuum suits.
