Astronaut Fashion: The Modern Spacesuit

Posted on June 30, 2009 by manny

Astronaut Fashion

Here’s an interesting look at a modern spacesuit design, created by MIT aerospace engineer Dava Newman. Instead of the bulky and cumbersome “diving bell” suit usually associated with astronauts, Newman’s design looks like tight fitting spandex which allows for greater mobility.

Very interesting!

Astronaut Fashion

Astronaut Fashion

Astronaut Fashion

Astronaut Fashion

Astronaut Fashion

Astronaut Fashion

[via SciencePhoto]

Thanks to Bonniegrrl for the tip.





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  • Thomas L. Nielsen

    This is a so-called “mechanical counter-pressure suit” (MCP suit), Instead of encasing the astronaut in a “mini-spaceship”, with it’s own atmosphere (like a conventional suit does), the elastic material maintains the body’s pressure by squeezing it.

    More info on:
    http://www.astronautix.com/craft/biosuit.htm
    and
    http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/rocket3m.html

    An interesting design (especially if you picture Angelina Jolie in one of these……).

    Regards & all,

    Thomas L. Nielsen
    Denmark

  • http://mydisguises.com manny

    Fascinating, Thomas. Thanks for the links!

  • Spacesuit engineer

    This has been around for awhile, but is decades away at best. There is really no current way of applying mechanical counterpressure evenly across the body, especially at the joints, and most especially at areas like the crotch and armpits.

    I would be interested in hearing if they have even taken this thing to a partial vacuum with a real person in it yet.

  • JMH

    From Wikipedia:

    “Between 1968 and 1971 ten designs of increasing sophistication were built, leading eventually to a series of successful tests in vacuum chambers. The longest test was two hours and forty-five minutes.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_activity_suit