Changes

[[File:C7LBsuitOnMun.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[Kerthenian]] C7LB Surface Activity Suit on the [[Mun]]]]

[[File:C7LBsuitOnMun.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[Kerthenia|Kerthenian]] C7LB Surface Activity Suit on the [https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Mun Mun] ]]

A space suit is a garment worn to keep an operator alive in the harsh environment of outer space, vacuum and temperature extremes. Space suits are often worn inside spacecraft as a safety precaution in case of loss of cabin pressure, and are necessary for extravehicular activity (EVA), work done outside spacecraft. Space suits have been worn for such work in Kerbin orbit, on the surface of the Mun and other bodies, and en route back to Kerbin. Modern space suits augment the basic pressure garment with a complex system of equipment and environmental systems designed to keep the wearer comfortable, and to minimize the effort required to bend the limbs, resisting a soft pressure garment's natural tendency to stiffen against the vacuum. A self-contained oxygen supply and environmental control system is frequently employed to allow complete freedom of movement, independent of the spacecraft.

A space suit is a garment worn to keep an operator alive in the harsh environment of outer space, vacuum and temperature extremes. Space suits are often worn inside spacecraft as a safety precaution in case of loss of cabin pressure, and are necessary for extravehicular activity (EVA), work done outside spacecraft. Space suits have been worn for such work in Kerbin orbit, on the surface of the Mun and other bodies, and en route back to Kerbin. Modern space suits augment the basic pressure garment with a complex system of equipment and environmental systems designed to keep the wearer comfortable, and to minimize the effort required to bend the limbs, resisting a soft pressure garment's natural tendency to stiffen against the vacuum. A self-contained oxygen supply and environmental control system is frequently employed to allow complete freedom of movement, independent of the spacecraft.

All space suit designs try to minimize or eliminate this problem. The most common solution is to form the suit out of multiple layers. The bladder layer is a rubbery, airtight layer much like a balloon. The restraint layer goes outside the bladder, and provides a specific shape for the suit. Since the bladder layer is larger than the restraint layer, the restraint takes all of the stresses caused by the pressure inside the suit. Since the bladder is not under pressure, it will not "pop" like a balloon, even if punctured. The restraint layer is shaped in such a way that bending a joint causes pockets of fabric, called "gores," to open up on the outside of the joint, while folds called "convolutes" fold up on the inside of the joint. The gores make up for the volume lost on the inside of the joint, and keep the suit at a nearly constant volume. However, once the gores are opened all the way, the joint cannot be bent any further without a considerable amount of work.

All space suit designs try to minimize or eliminate this problem. The most common solution is to form the suit out of multiple layers. The bladder layer is a rubbery, airtight layer much like a balloon. The restraint layer goes outside the bladder, and provides a specific shape for the suit. Since the bladder layer is larger than the restraint layer, the restraint takes all of the stresses caused by the pressure inside the suit. Since the bladder is not under pressure, it will not "pop" like a balloon, even if punctured. The restraint layer is shaped in such a way that bending a joint causes pockets of fabric, called "gores," to open up on the outside of the joint, while folds called "convolutes" fold up on the inside of the joint. The gores make up for the volume lost on the inside of the joint, and keep the suit at a nearly constant volume. However, once the gores are opened all the way, the joint cannot be bent any further without a considerable amount of work.

[[File:ULEPS.png|thumb|upright|A [[Eusonian]] Ultralight Launch and Entry Pressure Suit (ULEPS), more commonly known as the 'Blusuit']]

[[File:ULEPS.png|thumb|upright|A [[Eusonia|Eusonian]] Ultralight Launch and Entry Pressure Suit (ULEPS), more commonly known as the 'Blusuit']]

=== Soft-shell Suits ===

=== Soft-shell Suits ===

Soft suits typically are made mostly of fabrics. All soft suits have some hard parts, some even have hard joint bearings. Early EVA suits, and most IVA suits, are soft-shell.

Soft suits typically are made mostly of fabrics. All soft suits have some hard parts, some even have hard joint bearings. Early EVA suits, and most IVA suits, are soft-shell.

Mechanical Counter-Pressure (MCP) Suits, also known as skintight suits or space activity suits, are a type of suit design which uses a heavy elastic body stocking or some other means to compress the body of the operator. The head is in a pressurized helmet, but the rest of the body is pressurized only by the elastic effect of the suit. This mitigates the constant volume problem, reduces the possibility of a space suit depressurization, and gives a very lightweight suit. However, MCPs are significantly more complex to manufacture, and are therefore more expensive.

Mechanical Counter-Pressure (MCP) Suits, also known as skintight suits or space activity suits, are a type of suit design which uses a heavy elastic body stocking or some other means to compress the body of the operator. The head is in a pressurized helmet, but the rest of the body is pressurized only by the elastic effect of the suit. This mitigates the constant volume problem, reduces the possibility of a space suit depressurization, and gives a very lightweight suit. However, MCPs are significantly more complex to manufacture, and are therefore more expensive.

=== Bibliography ===

== Bibliography ==

Space Suit. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 15, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_suit

Space Suit. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 15, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_suit