SAFER backpack test. Astronaut Mark Lee seen testing the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) system during Shuttle Mission STS-64. Behind Lee, 240 k

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SAFER backpack test. Astronaut Mark Lee seen testing the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) system during Shuttle Mission STS-64. Behind Lee, 240 kilometres below, is a large bank of clouds over the Earth. SAFER is a scaled-down version of the Manned Manoeuvring Unit (MMU) used in previous Shuttle space walks, and is intended to provide emergency free-flying mobility or a self-rescue capability to astronauts during extravehicular activity (EVA). SAFER clips around the normal life-support backpack, and is powered by 24 fixed nitrogen thrusters. The nitrogen supply may be replenished during an EVA from the payload bay. STS-64 flew on 9-20 September 1994.

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Size: 2637px × 4037px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ., activity, aid, backpack, eva, extravehicular, flight, lee, manned, mark, rescue, safer, shuttle, simplified, space, spaceflight, spacewalk, sts-64, sts64