Spacesuits
Spacesuits are much more than a set of clothes astronauts wear. However, like a set of clothes, different suits serve different purposes. Space exploration usually includes two different kinds of spacesuits, both of which protect astronauts from the dangers of their mission. One kind is worn inside a spacecraft during launch and ascent to space, and again on the way home during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere as well as during landing. The other kind, is designed specifically for spacewalks. NASA calls a spacewalk an Extra-Vehicular Activity, or EVA, so this type of suit is often called an EVA suit.
A fully equipped spacesuit used during spacewalks is actually a miniature spaceship shaped like a human body that protects the astronaut from the dangers of being outside a vehicle while in space or on the Moon. Spacewalking astronauts face radiation, dust, debris, and extreme temperatures.
Temperatures on spacewalks may vary from as cold as minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit to as hot as 250 degrees in the sunlight. The suits provide the proper pressure for the body and supply astronauts with water to drink and oxygen to breathe.
The spacesuit worn for spacewalks outside the International Space Station is called the extravehicular mobility unit, or EMU. NASA is currently developing a new suit that will be worn for spacewalks on Artemis missions called the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or xEMU. It includes several new features and technological advances, but the suits share most of the same basic elements that work together to keep crew members safe and healthy while allowing them to accomplish their tasks when working outside their spacecraft in harsh space environments.
A fully equipped spacesuit used during spacewalks is actually a miniature spaceship shaped like a human body that protects the astronaut from the dangers of being outside a vehicle while in space or on the Moon. Spacewalking astronauts face radiation, dust, debris, and extreme temperatures.
Temperatures on spacewalks may vary from as cold as minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit to as hot as 250 degrees in the sunlight. The suits provide the proper pressure for the body and supply astronauts with water to drink and oxygen to breathe.
The spacesuit worn for spacewalks outside the International Space Station is called the extravehicular mobility unit, or EMU. NASA is currently developing a new suit that will be worn for spacewalks on Artemis missions called the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or xEMU. It includes several new features and technological advances, but the suits share most of the same basic elements that work together to keep crew members safe and healthy while allowing them to accomplish their tasks when working outside their spacecraft in harsh space environments.
How are spacesuits made and what are they made from?
The two main parts of a spacewalk spacesuit are the pressure garment and the life support system. The pressure garment is the human shaped portion of the spacesuit that protects the body and enables mobility. The primary components of the pressure garment are the cooling garment, upper torso, lower torso and helmet. Some of the layers protect astronauts from the temperature, which can really hot and really cold. Some layers protect them from micro meteorites that could fly into you at very high speeds, such as a material called Kevlar, which is almost bullet proof. |