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The technology A gigantic balloon

LIFE ON BOARD

Life on board the capsule deserves careful preparation, as two people may have to spend up to 21 days together within a limited space. In addition to the mental preparation of pilots, both of whom are familiar with sophrology techniques, on-board organization calls for six-hour shifts at the controls, so as to ensure that each crew member pilots for part of the night. Both pilots need to be active during specific piloting phases, should any probleme arise, or in case of difficulties in communicating with air traffic control centers being overflown. The pilots are dressed in insulating synthetic fiber clothes with microfibers or "fleece" fibers suitable for the inside temperature of 15°C. When it is time to sleep, crew members remove some of their clothes before getting into the sleeping bag. The isothermal survival suit is donned only if there is a threat of bad weather or if a system failure has occurred. Food on board is made up of "fresh" items for the first six to seven days, meaning bread, margarine, honey, cheese, cereals and powdered milk, reheated vegetables and pre-cooked steaks. After that, pilots make do with dried food. In all, they take over 200 liters of water with them.

Safety first The technology

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A gigantic balloon The technology