Question ref: SpaceX close out crew

[JAFO]

Ok, I respect everything they’ve done and know they have a very good team, and I don’t want to be Captain Obvious from my armchair fan boy seat.

I understand the hoods and gloves, and large numbers for visibility in the cameras, and I know the odds are small, but if there was a smoke/limited visibility event on the pad, wouldn’t those gray suits be pretty much invisible? Why not some strips/spots of reflective material for visibility on the arms, legs, etc? Or is there something reflective in the fabric I’m not seeing?


Because, y’know, fecal matter happens.

[AC in NC]

What precisely is this smoke / limited visibility event that might occur on the pad without warning with incapacitation where external personnel would need to be exfiltrating ninjas?

It's not Captain Obvious.  It's Captain Stretch Armstrong

[JAFO]

Dang if I know, I don't work on the pad (this is the closest I ever got), which is why I asked the experts here. You don't know what you don't know unless you ask, and (at least to me) there are no dumb questions.

[meekGee]

Dang if I know, I don't work on the pad (this is the closest I ever got), which is why I asked the experts here. You don't know what you don't know unless you ask, and (at least to me) there are no dumb questions.

And it's a fair question.  I don't have an answer, and I think low-contrast garb like this is not a traditional choice, except in certain theatrical environments...

[daveglo]

I think it's a great question, and honestly, they do indeed need some sort of hi-vis reflective markings.  That kind of thing is pretty much SOP for all outdoor (and this counts as outdoor) working outerwear nowadays.

Wouldn't be hard to add a few stripes to the arms and legs.

[Jim]

Ok, I respect everything they’ve done and know they have a very good team, and I don’t want to be Captain Obvious from my armchair fan boy seat.

I understand the hoods and gloves, and large numbers for visibility in the cameras, and I know the odds are small, but if there was a smoke/limited visibility event on the pad, wouldn’t those gray suits be pretty much invisible? Why not some strips/spots of reflective material for visibility on the arms, legs, etc? Or is there something reflective in the fabric I’m not seeing?


Because, y’know, fecal matter happens.

Not that kind of fire is going to happen

[JAFO]

Ok, I respect everything they’ve done and know they have a very good team, and I don’t want to be Captain Obvious from my armchair fan boy seat.

I understand the hoods and gloves, and large numbers for visibility in the cameras, and I know the odds are small, but if there was a smoke/limited visibility event on the pad, wouldn’t those gray suits be pretty much invisible? Why not some strips/spots of reflective material for visibility on the arms, legs, etc? Or is there something reflective in the fabric I’m not seeing?


Because, y’know, fecal matter happens.

Not that kind of fire is going to happen

Thank you, sir.

I guess I just kept thinking of Apollo 1 and pad rats trying to get the crew/themselves out, and someone being lost in the smoke.