In just a few days DIY space suit guys Cameron Smith and John Haslett will visit us in Copenhagen for a 10-day session of suit presentation, seating design and space suit testing.

We are all very excited and I am trying to get prepared for this special event. Even though we joined forces half a year ago – meeting in person like this is going to be very special and will mark a special celebration of a US/Danish joint venture space adventure!

In my earlier days working with NASA, WYLE and being at other US-related space events I was always confronted with ITAR and other export-control entities which are basically a pain the a** with only one purpose – keeping us all scared while discouraging real progress and international cooperation. This door is locked both ways and the EU are just as obnoxious on these matters.

I will never understand how we managed to convince ourselves that slowing down international cooperation would pay off in the name of trying to control export and keep things to ourselves – especially in the space sector. Well, rockets are naturally dual-use items but the whole export game has certainly hit too widely.

I have decided to ignore this. Maybe that’s why I ended up co-founding Copenhagen Suborbitals.

The latest sketch (seen above) of Tycho Deep Space II depict the seating position of our astronaut using the Russian Soyuz kazbek seating position. Based on this design Cameron smith worked a basic seating prototype in his Oregon apartment – using mostly wood – returning measurements on the ergonomic envelope of his body donned the suit.

Cameron Smith personal measurements in his own suit (on Soyuz kazbek pictures). Image: Cameron Smith Cameron Smith personal measurements in his own suit (on Soyuz kazbek pictures). Image: Cameron Smith

Using Cameron’s data, I am currently working a quick seat frame for more testing inside the boiler plate capsule when Cameron and John are here. From what I can tell so far, we are in the clear and there are definitely room for the suited astronaut. However, the body posture is going to be a bit more leg-crammed from what Cameron tried out and I am anxious to know if it works out – especially pressurized.

Basic seating frame. Left: Intern Sylvester posing as astronaut. Image: Kristian von Bengtson Basic seating frame. Left: Intern Sylvester posing as astronaut. Image: Kristian von Bengtson

Quick and dirty seating frame in progress. Image: Kristian von Bengtson

There are still some more work to be done on this seat like seat/capsule interface, ergonomic adjustment and harness. It is being build using plain carbon steel for quick and easy cutting, adding and adjustment while our space suit team is here.

ITAR or not - We are building our space rocket in Denmark and space suits in the US and we have already begun working together across the pond. The are no scaring involved – not dangerous intentions – just fun, science and open-minded international corporation.

As it should be!

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Kristian von Bengtson