Ever since Alan Shepard's history making flight in 1961, NASA astronauts have relied on spacesuits to help them work and keep them safe. From the shiny silver of the Mercury suit to the orange "pumpkin suits" of shuttle crew, the suits have served as personal spacecraft, protecting explorers during launch and entry, while working on the International Space Station, or walking on the moon.
Just as NASA has a new spacecraft, Orion, new suits will be needed to protect future astronauts as they return to the moon and eventually Mars.
11. Floating Free
In February 1984, shuttle astronaut Bruce McCandless became the first astronaut to float in space untethered, thanks to a jetpack-like device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU).
MMUs are no longer used, but astronauts now wear a similar backpack device in case of emergency.
12. Future Concept
NASA
Engineers working to design a new spacesuit for the Constellation program have come up with a suit system that consists of 2 basic configurations that will be used for different tasks.
The orange suit is Configuration 1, which will be worn during launch, landing and - if necessary - sudden cabin depressurization events. It will also be used if a spacewalk must be performed in microgravity.
Configuration 2, the white suit, would be used during moonwalks for lunar exploration. Since Configuration 1 will be used in and around the vehicle only, it does not need the life support backpack that Configuration 2 uses - instead it will connect to the vehicle by umbilical.
13. The Future
NASA
Dr. Dean Eppler wears the MK III advanced demonstration spacesuit during a 2002 field test of futuristic technology in Arizona. The MK III is an advanced demonstration suit being used to develop elements for future suits.
14. The Future
NASA
With his back to a lunar truck concept, an Earth-bound astronaut captures the scene at Moses lake, WA, during a lunar robot demonstration in June 2008. NASA centers across the country brought their latest concepts to Moses Lake for a series of field tests based on mission-related activities for NASA's planned return to the moon by 2020.
15. The Future
NASA
Astronauts, engineers and scientists wearing prototype spacesuits, driving prototype lunar rovers and simulating scientific work this week at Moses Lake, WA, as part of NASA's demonstration of concepts for living and working on the lunar surface. NASA currently is building the spacecraft and systems to return to the moon by 2020.
