Patent ID: 6959456

Claim:
An apparatus for entering and exiting a spacesuit in a spacecraft, said spacesuit ( 1 ) having a spacesuit entrance and exit opening ( 2 ) in a back portion of said spacesuit and a backpack ( 3 ) for opening and closing said opening ( 2 ) of said spacesuit, said apparatus comprising: a) a first sealing and interlocking subsystem ( 4 ) operatively interposed between said spacesuit ( 1 ) and a bulkhead ( 5 ′) in said spacecraft (S) for connecting said spacesuit ( 1 ) to said bulkhead ( 5 ′) in an interlocking force transmitting fit, b) a second sealing and interlocking subsystem ( 6 ) operatively interposed between said backpack ( 3 ) and said back portion of said spacesuit ( 1 ) around said opening ( 2 ) for connecting said backpack ( 3 ) to said spacesuit ( 1 ) in an interlocking and force transmitting fit, c) a laterally flappable decontamination chamber ( 7 ) into which said backpack ( 3 ) fits, d) a third sealing and interlocking subsystem ( 9 ) operatively interposed between said spacesuit ( 1 ) or backpack ( 3 ) and said decontamination chamber ( 7 ) for connecting said spacesuit to said decontamination chamber ( 7 ) in an isolating manner, e) a fourth sealing and interlocking subsystem ( 12 ) operatively interposed between said at least one decontamination chamber ( 7 ) and said bulkhead ( 5 ′) in said spacecraft for connecting said decontamination chamber ( 7 ) to said bulkhead ( 5 ′) in an isolating manner, f) a first hinge (H) between said bulkhead ( 5 ′) and said decontamination chamber ( 7 ) for opening and closing a hole ( 5 A) in said bulkhead ( 5 ′) by laterally flapping said decontamination chamber ( 7 ) into an open position or back into a closed position, and g) a second hinge (H′) operatively connecting said backpack ( 3 ) for tilting said backpack ( 3 ) with said decontamination chamber ( 7 ) laterally away from said bulkhead ( 5 ′) in unison with said decontamination chamber ( 7 ) or tilting said backpack ( 3 ) separately from said decontamination chamber ( 7 ).