NASA designs new spacesuits

[starsinmyeyes44]

An interesting article. The old suits sounded like a nightmare to deal with. <br /><br />"The Apollo spacesuit had shortcomings of its own, said Joe Kosmo, who manages NASA's spacesuit development lab.<br /><br />The garments were fabricated with rubber shells to protect the shoulders and the joints of the arms and legs. Sculpted from Neoprene, the coverings grew brittle with time, and the suits had a useful life of about four years, Kosmo said.<br /><br />The old moon suits also relied on zippers to seal the astronauts inside the airtight garments. But the zippers were so fragile that technicians had to X-ray them before each mission to ensure that their metal teeth had not fractured. In space, the zippers often jammed, requiring a liberal use of messy lubricants to open and close them."<br /><br />http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5488918.html <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff00ff">In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.<br /></font><strong>Charlie Brown</strong></p> </div>

 

[ace5]

The Soviets were far smater using a rear-hatch for entry their Kretchet 94 suits in 1969. No need for zipers.

 

[docm]

Personally I think the suits MIT Bio-Suit looks very interesting.<br /><br />http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/biosuit-0716.html <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

Does anyone have a good link to technical descriptions of the old Apollo suits? With detailed illustrations, measurements and pictures? <br /><br />*Nevermind. I found a really nice one in case anyone is interested. - http://www.myspacemuseum.com/agallery.htm <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>