What Makes A Space Suit?

Most people could identify a space suit. But what exactly can it do? And what makes HSSSI's space suit - the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) - a necessity for modern space travel?

Q : What does an EMU allow an astronaut to do?

A : It provides astronauts with the ability to preform activities in space (outside the shuttle environment) such as experiments, deploying and capturing hardware (e.g. satellites), hardware maintenance, and in the future, the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station (ISS).

Q : How much does an EMU weigh?

A : A flight configuration EMU weighs about 250 - 275 lbs., depending upon the size and configuration of hardware components selected. (This weight is measured on earth).

Q : How long can you stay in space while wearing an EMU?

A : The EMU provides life support for about 7 - 8 hours of Extravehicular Activity (EVA).

Q : What type of movement does an EMU allow?

A : The EMU is designed to allow the astronaut to perform similar movement in space as those which may be performed on Earth. Its features allow the astronaut to bend and rotate at the waist, flex the knees and elbows, rotate the arms, shoulders and wrists, as well as perform intricate hand movements.

Q : Is the WETS EMU similar to the space suits used by NASA?

A : The EMU training suits being leased to NASDA are similar in configuration to those used by the U. S. Shuttle crews, with modifications required for use in the pool environment and interfacing with NASDA's WETS facility. The EMU training suit which NASDA is procuring is the same basic configuration as NASA's EMU for the ISS program.