How 'spacewalking' underwater made me feel like I was really in space
Analog Astronaut Commander and Aquanaut Michaela Musilova led underwater simulated “spacewalks” in low visibility to test astronaut safety and communication protocols during simulated space missions.
The astronaut's scuba diving spacesuit, designed for underwater simulated spacewalks, felt remarkably similar to the suits worn during missions on the International Space Station. The primary difference was that, unlike astronauts in space, the aquanauts couldn't simply open their helmets and breathe the outside air in an emergency.
The unique underwater environment presented its own set of challenges and risks, including potential leaks or higher pressures, which made the astronauts exceptionally cautious and thorough in their preparations.
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