Space Suit

astronauts · space exploration · engineering · protection

Protects from vacuum. Space suits work like a personal bubble around astronauts, keeping air pressure around their bodies so they don't get hurt by the emptiness of space. Without a space suit, an astronaut's body would be exposed to extreme danger.

Shields from temperature extremes. Space suits protect astronauts from temperatures that can swing from super hot when facing the sun to incredibly cold in Earth's shadow. The suit acts like armor against these wild temperature changes.

Guards against tiny dangers. Tiny pieces of rock and dust called micrometeoroids zoom around in space at extremely high speeds, and space suits have special layers to protect astronauts from getting hit by them. These tiny space rocks are traveling so fast they could damage an unprotected astronaut.

Includes life support system. When astronauts go outside their spacecraft for missions called EVA (extravehicular activity), their space suits have special equipment built in that provides air to breathe and removes waste gases. This portable life support system is like carrying your own mini air factory.

Blocks out radiation. Space suits have special materials that protect astronauts from harmful radiation coming from the sun and space. This invisible protection is just as important as the visible armor of the suit.