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. |