Neutral Buoyancy Simulator | |
 | |
    | |
| Location | Huntsville, Alabama |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°39′11″N 86°40′39″W / 34.65306°N 86.67750°W |
| Built | 1968 |
| Architect | NASA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002807 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 3, 1985[1] |
| Designated NHL | October 3, 1985[2] |
The Neutral Buoyancy Simulator was a neutral buoyancy pool located at NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Engineers and astronauts developed hardware and practiced procedures in this tank from its completion in 1968 through its decommissioning in 1997. Marshall recognized the need for underwater simulations of extra-vehicular activities (EVAs) and developed three successively larger tanks for the purpose. The Neutral Buoyancy Simulator contributed significantly to the American crewed space program. Skylab, the Space Shuttle, Hubble Space Telescope, and the International Space Station have all benefited from the Neutral Buoyancy Simulator. Until Johnson Space Center constructed the Weightless Environment Test Facility in the mid-1970s, MSFC had the only NASA-owned test facility that allowed engineers and astronauts to become familiar with the dynamics of body motion under weightless conditions.[2][3]: 1968-03 p.39 [4]
The water within the simulator was temperature controlled, continuously recirculated and filtered. Special systems were integrated into the tank for underwater audio and video, pressure-suit environmental control and emergency rescue and treatment. Life support was simultaneously provided by these systems for up to four pressure-suited subjects. Additional systems included data acquisition and recording, underwater lighting, special underwater pneumatic and electrical power operations of motor, valves, controls, and indicators that required for high fidelity and functional engineering mockups and trainers.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ a b "Neutral Buoyancy Space Simulator". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on January 11, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
- ^ von Braun, Wernher (2010), Buckbee, Ed (ed.), The Rocket Man: Wernher von Braun: The Man Who Took America to the Moon: His Weekly Notes: 1961–1969 (DVD), Steward & Wise Music Publishing, ISBN 978-1-935001-27-0
- ^ "Across the USA: News from Every State". USA Today. July 10, 1997. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
...for astronauts at the Marshall Space Flight Center has been declared inactive. The tank, built in '68, was NASA's first Neutral Buoyancy Simulator.