The Evolution Of U.S. Spacesuits From Mercury To Today

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In order for humans to survive in the hostile environment of space, mankind has invented the ultimate personal space 'vehicle' - the spacesuit. Designed to keep a person alive in the event of a spacecraft failure or while working outside of the spacecraft, a spacesuit must provide enough protection to keep the wearer alive in extreme conditions.

Two types of suits have been developed: Launch and Entry suits, and Extravehicular Activity spacesuits. These spacesuits have evolved from the rudimentary suits used by Edward White on Gemini IV on June 3, 1965, to the more complex suits of today.