They say the clothes make the man. Perhaps nowhere is that more true than on space missions, where astronauts (both male and female) are at their most iconic when donning a spacesuit.
The main job of a spacesuit is to protect its wearer. During spacewalks, it must provide a breathable atmosphere, allow for easy movement and maintain steady communications with a spacecraft. The outfit has to moderate temperature extremes — the sun’s rays can heat an astronaut up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit while the darkness of space can create chills of -256 degrees — and be tough enough to protect against bombardment by dangerous micrometeorites. via Wired
October 24, 2011
