Astronaut Scientific Debriefings, 1962-1963

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explanation.
If it is really true that this chartreuse color
only turns up only at suprise, we may be with the explanation
that · Herzfeldllput forward for it.
Schirra - This is the nitrogen effect?
O'Keefe - Yes.
Schirra - I would like to stamp that one out.
We ~an't afford to
have · nitrogen outgas in the vehicle.
(Laughter) The only nitrogen
which we have stored aboard is that which pressurizes the hydrogen
peroxide system.
If we lose any of that, this is almost fatal.
O'Keefe - Well, there is plenty of nitrogen in the atmosphere at
that level~ · Still -
Schirra· - You mean in the external atmosphere?
O'Keefe - Yes.
Ambient atmosphere.
Schirra - Fair enoug~.
Well then, that paper - I was left with
the impression· that the nitrogen came from the vehicle itself.
O'Keefe· - I am sure that it didn't cross Herzfeld's mind.
Dubin - There's also nitrogen ...
Schirra - Well, it read that way to me.
I should say that I am
very conscious of what nitrogen does for me within the vehicle!
(Laughter)
This is basically my control field.
Dubin - I was going to say there is also nitrogen absorbed in met als ..
Schirra - The gaseous content of the vehicle is very carefully
measured prior to sealing up the vehicle for lift off.
It is
purged and we go up to about 97 or 98 percent oxygen.
Obviously,
there is not much left in the cabin, you can't get it all out because
!/ Abstract published in Voll 136, #3522, p. 1121, July 29, 1962 of
Science by Charles Herzfe d.