I was wondering if SDopers ever recall reading any accounts or hearing a documentary about the experiences during launch and re-entry on the human body? While many such questions come to mind, I wonder about the ears. My ears kill me during landing while flying in a commercial airplane. It is often so painful, I think the fluid build-up in my inner ear will cause an internal rupture or (exterior) explosion! Once , it didn’t fully clear for 48 hours after landing…even with the help of an OTC decongestant!
So, I wonder what astronauts must feel…both going up and coming down. Anyone recall reading such stories? Granted, I know the discomforts of space travel would never discourage these brave people… - Jinx
Astronauts on the shuttle experience less of a pressure change than you do on a commercial flight. The orbiter is pressurized to 14.7 psi, which is standard pressure at sea level. Compare this to a commercial airliner where the cabin may only be pressurized to simulate an altitude of seven or eight thousand feet.
[quote=Duffy and Melroy then lowered Discovery’s cabin pressure in preparation for a space walk by astronauts Leroy Chiao and Bill McArthur planned to begin at 9:32 a.m. Sunday. Reducing the cabin pressure from a sea-level pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) to a pressure of about 10.2 psi is part of a protocol that purges nitrogen from the space walker’s body to prevent decompression sickness.[/quote]
By the way, the EVA (space walk) suits are only at 4.3 psi. Pure oxygen atmosphere. That’s why you need to reduce cabin pressure before EVA; going straight from 14.7 psi to 4.3 psi can cause problems.
But this is nothing to what scuba divers and deep sea divers experience. At 30 ft depth you are at 45 psi above atmospheric pressure. Ability to cope with pressure differences is part of the requirement and training for these professions/activities.
You shouldn’t be flying if your ears get that painful, you could burst an eardrum. Healthy ears can be cleared naturally during descent with no pain or discomfort.
Jinx, your ears shouldn’t get that blocked up with normal commercial airline cabin pressures. And, in fact, the pressure can build up enough to rupture an eardrum. It’s rare, but if your ears are taking 48 hours to clear after a flight in a pressurized cabin you’re heading towards that zone. If you have to fly, see an ENT to make sure there isn’t something physically causing trouble, or to get something stronger than an OTC decongestant.
I don’t mean to be alarmist, but this really isn’t normal and needs to be looked at. Or don’t fly. Either way, don’t risk messing up your ears.