It works like a personal ship when the astronaut is outside the station or the space shuttle (inside the ship, astronauts wear orange clothes, much simpler). The function of clothing is to emulate the conditions that allow human life, providing oxygen and regulating pressure so that body fluids do not evaporate. In addition, thermal layers protect the body from cold and heat, in addition to blocking solar radiation. The suits began to be used in the 60s, in the first space trips, by the Vostok (from the Soviet Union) and Mercury (from the USA) programs. Even after decades of evolution, the suits must undergo adaptations to meet the demands of future explorations on the Moon and Mars.
– (Luciano Veronezi/)
1) The visor has three layers: one for low light situations, another, dark and reflective, for bright environments, and a third visor, frosted, to block radiation in case of solar storms. Cameras and lights are attached to the helmet and contact with the crew is via a microphone.
two) A metal seal connects the upper and lower parts. Below the waist, rings and bindings secure the suit to the ship. The white color helps repel the sun’s heat (which can reach 120°C) and makes the astronaut stand out in the darkness of space. On the legs, colored bands help the crew to identify who is out there. As the activities last for hours, without a break, the astronauts wear high-absorption diapers
3) Torso, hands and legs are modular and of various sizes for the astronaut to choose and assemble the suit that best fits his measurements. In extreme cases, the metal rings that connect the pieces can expand the fabric. Gloves have heaters over the nails to prevent fingers from freezing
4) On the rigid torso, made of fiberglass, are the controls that regulate the oxygen levels, the volume of the communicators and the internal temperature. Since the astronaut cannot see his chest, he looks at the reflection in a mirror on his arm (which is why everything is written backwards). On their wrist, to remember everything they need to do outside the spacecraft, astronauts carry a pasted to-do list
– (Luciano Veronezi/)
5) The backpack carries essential items for survival in space, such as oxygen tanks – in addition to an emergency reserve, which lasts 30 minutes –, a battery and a system to cool the water that maintains the astronaut’s body temperature. It is capable of sustaining a person for seven hours outside the ship.
6) SAFER helps the astronaut to get back to the spacecraft in case he becomes detached. Through a control, he commands small propulsion rockets fed with nitrogen. Fuel and boost last for a few seconds, so the chance to grab the ship cannot be missed.
7) Underneath it all, there is a suit with 91.5 m of small tubes, fed with the cooled water in the backpack. They keep the body cool – sweating can fog up the helmet or cause dehydration – and are surrounded by flexible fabrics, which form the first of the suit’s 14 layers.
space haute couture
14 layers – which together are less than 0.5 cm thick – protect the astronaut from the extreme conditions of space
– (Luciano Veronezi/)
I) Nylon and elastane: three layers wrap the pipes and disperse the heat generated during activities
II) Rubber and polyester: two layers trap oxygen inside the suit and keep pressure regulated
III) Ripstop: Tear-resistant lining protects other fabrics and the astronaut’s body
IV) Polyester film: seven insulating layers regulate the internal temperature
V) Orthofabric: Mix of waterproof, fireproof and even bulletproof fabrics – to contain the impact of space particles
CONSULTANCY NASA and Marcos Pontes, cosmonaut / SOURCES Nasa Equipment Reference Book