About Spacesuits <View Interactive Version>

NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or EMU, is like a personal mini-spacecraft. Learn more about why astronauts wear spacesuits.

The spacesuit used on space shuttle and International Space Station missions is like a personal spacecraft. The spacesuit provides protection and a means for survival for the astronaut. Like a small spacecraft, the spacesuit allows astronauts to work outside of their space vehicles. Working outside of a spacecraft while in space is called an extravehicular activity, an EVA or a spacewalk. The white spacesuit an astronaut wears during a spacewalk is called the extravehicular mobility unit, or EMU. Extravehicular means outside of the vehicle or spacecraft. Mobility means that the astronaut can move while wearing the suit. Astronauts sometimes go on spacewalks to help build the space station. Sometimes the purpose of a spacewalk is to fix something that is broken. Spacewalks have been used to assist in capturing satellites in space. When the Hubble Space Telescope needs repairs, spacewalkers are needed to do the job. Some spacewalks may last as long as eight hours. Like a spacecraft, a spacesuit protects an astronaut from the dangers of space. The spacesuit completely covers a spacewalker's body. The pieces of the suit interlock so that none of the spacewalker's skin is exposed to space. Without spacewalks, much of the work that needs to be done in space would not be accomplished. And a spacewalk would be impossible without the protection of a spacesuit.





Parts of a Spacesuit

NASA spacesuits have many pieces and parts. Learn about the parts and why each piece is important.

Primary Life Support Subsystem

The PLSS is worn like a backpack. It provides astronauts many of the things they need to survive on a spacewalk. Its tanks supply oxygen for the astronauts to breathe. It removes exhaled carbon dioxide. It contains a battery for electrical power.



The PLSS also holds water-cooling equipment, a fan to circulate oxygen and a two-way radio. A caution and warning system in this backpack lets spacewalkers know if something is wrong with the suit. The unit is covered with protective cloth layers. (See "Layers.")

Upper Torso

The top of the spacesuit includes the Hard Upper Torso and the arm assembly.









Hard Upper Torso

The HUT covers the chest and back. It is a vest made out of fiberglass like some cars and swimming pools. The Displays and Control Module and Primary Life Support Subsystem attach to this piece. An important function of this piece is that it serves as the connection for the tubes that drain water and allow oxygen flow.



Arms

Spacewalkers do not wear custom-made suits. Different sizes of arm assembly parts are available. Sizing rings can make the parts longer or shorter.





EVA Gloves

Astronauts must be able to work with and pick up objects while wearing spacesuit gloves. EVA gloves are made to protect astronauts from the space environment. They are also made so spacewalkers can move their fingers as easily as possible. The fingers are the part of the body that gets coldest in space. These gloves have heaters in the fingertips. A piece called a bearing connects the glove to the sleeve. The bearing allows the wrist to turn.













Displays and Control Module

This module is the control panel for the mini-spacecraft. Switches, controls, gauges and an electronic display are on the module. The astronaut can operate the Primary Life Support Subsystem from this module.









In-Suit Drink Bag

A plastic, water-filled pouch attaches to the inside of the Hard Upper Torso using Velcro. A plastic tube with a valve sticks out of the bag. The tube and valve can be adjusted to be near the astronaut's mouth. Biting the valve opens the tube so the spacewalker can take a drink. Releasing the bite closes the valve again.



Lower Torso Assembly

This section is made up of spacesuit pants, boots and the lower half of the waist closure. A piece called the waist bearing helps the astronaut move and turn. A metal body-seal closure connects the lower torso to the hard upper torso.



The lower torso has D-rings to attach tethers. Tethers are the cords that attach to the spacecraft so spacewalkers will not float away.



Some suits are plain white; some have red stripes; and others have candy cane stripes. These variations help to tell one spacewalker from another.













Helmet

Besides covering a spacewalker's head, the helmet has a Vent Pad. This pad directs oxygen from the Primary Life Support Subsystem and Hard Upper Torso to the front of the helmet. The helmet keeps the oxygen at the right pressure around the head. The main part of the helmet is the clear plastic bubble.



The bubble is covered by the Extravehicular Visor Assembly. The visor is coated with a thin layer of gold that filters out the sun's harmful rays. The visor also protects the spacewalker from extreme temperatures and small objects that may hit the spacewalker.



A TV camera and lights can be attached to the helmet.









Communications Carrier Assembly

The CCA is sometimes called the Snoopy Cap. The astronaut wears the cap under the helmet. It has earphones and microphones. It connects to the radio on the spacesuit. Using the CCA, astronauts can talk with the rest of the crew and hear the caution and warning tones.

Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment

Most long underwear keeps people warm. This underwear keeps spacewalkers cool. It is made of stretchy spandex material. It has 91.5 meters, or 300 feet, of narrow tubes throughout. Water is pumped through the tubes near the spacewalker's skin. The chilled water removes extra heat as it circulates around the crewmember's entire body. The vents in the garment draw sweat away from the astronaut's body. Sweat is recycled in the water-cooling system. Oxygen is pulled in at the wrists and ankles to help with circulation within the spacesuit.



Maximum Absorption Garment

Because spacewalks typically last more than six hours without a break, spacewalkers wear adult-sized diapers with extra absorption material under their spacesuits.



Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue

SAFER is like a life jacket. Spacewalkers working on the space station wear SAFER. Astronauts are usually connected to the station by a tether. If an astronaut should become untethered and float away, SAFER would help her or him fly back to the station. SAFER is worn like a backpack. It uses small nitrogen-jet thrusters to let an astronaut move around in space. Astronauts can control SAFER with a small joystick.







Wrist Mirror

A spacewalker cannot see the front of the Displays and Control Module while wearing the spacesuit. To see the controls, astronauts wear a wrist mirror on the sleeve. Look at the settings on the front of the module. They are written backward. But "backward" is "forward" in a mirror.











Layers

The spacesuit arm has 14 layers of material to protect the spacewalker. The liquid cooling and ventilation garment makes up the first three layers. On top of this garment is the bladder layer. It creates the proper pressure for the body. It also holds in the oxygen for breathing. The next layer holds the bladder layer to the correct shape around the astronaut's body and is made of the same material as camping tents. The ripstop liner is the tear-resistant layer. The next seven layers are Mylar insulation and make the suit act like a thermos. The layers keep the temperature from changing inside. They also protect the spacewalker from being harmed by small, high-speed objects flying through space. The outer layer is made of a blend of three fabrics. One fabric is waterproof. Another is the material used to make bullet-proof vests. The third fabric is fire-resistant.



Cuff Checklist

On their wrists, astronauts wear a short checklist of the tasks they will do during the spacewalk.

