Edward Higgins White performing the first US spacewalk on Gemini 4 of 1965
So long as there is space exploration performed by humans, space suits will continue to be used to protect astronauts from the harsh extraterrestrial environment.
Throughout the history of space exploration, back through to the very first sparks of imagination, space suits have been a way to protect our bodies from the dangers of space. A space suit by definition is a special suit that is designed to keep astronauts alive in outer space, and in some cases, a fully functioning one-person spacecraft. In the course of just over half a century the world has taken the idea of a space suit from a set of metal tubes to one of the most complex devices ever developed in human history. Through the space suit, humankind has been able to withstand the extremes of the outer space environment and discover marvels within Earth’s orbit and on the surface of the moon. The space suit will continue to evolve and will hopefully bring us the opportunity to walk on places like Mars and bring more findings with improved technology.
The basic capabilities of a working space suit are to keep the astronaut alive. This what the human body needs for that to happen is a stable internal pressure, a breathable oxygen supply, the ability to move, a temperature control system, a communication system, and a waste collection system. Some other important additions for a space suit include particle and radiation shielding, particle shielding, and shuttle/station/capsule docking.
The basic capabilities of a working space suit are to keep the astronaut alive. This what the human body needs for that to happen is a stable internal pressure, a breathable oxygen supply, the ability to move, a temperature control system, a communication system, and a waste collection system. Some other important additions for a space suit include particle and radiation shielding, particle shielding, and shuttle/station/capsule docking.