Did You Know: Space – Why do astronauts need space suits?
There is no air to breathe in space and temperatures can quickly change from being very hot to very cold.
To stay safe, astronauts must wear a special space suit when they are outside their spacecraft.
Helmet and visor
The main part of the helmet is the clear plastic bubble that protects the astronaut’s head.
There is also a special visor to protect the astronaut’s eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
Drink bag and straw
Sometimes space walks can last for hours, so astronauts get thirsty! They can drink through a straw in their helmet.
Microphone
Spacewalking astronauts have a microphone so they can talk with other astronauts and the support team on Earth.
Backpack
The backpack contains the astronaut’s life-support system.
It holds oxygen for the astronaut to breathe and a battery for electrical power.
Inner layers
There are lots of layers to a space suit.
Some help to keep the astronaut warm and others help to cool them down.
Underwear
Once they are out in space, astronauts can’t take their space suits off to go to the bathroom. Instead, they wear absorbant underwear that can soak up fluids.
Rescue unit
The rescue unit is controlled by a joystick on the arm of the space suit.
It has jet thrusters that propel a stranded astronaut back to the safety of the spacecraft.
How have space suits changed?
Mercury space suit
These silver space suits were worn by America’s first astronauts. Their group was called “The Mercury 7.” They only wore these space suits inside the spacecraft.
Future space suit
There are plans to send people to Mars and new space suits are being created for the mission.
These will use newer technology than the current space suits.