SpaceX Introduces “EVA” Spacesuit For Spacewalks

SpaceX introduced a new EVA spacesuit, which will be used for a unique spacewalk for astronauts this year. As part of the Polaris Dawn mission.

SpaceX engineers have made many changes to the design of the company’s existing spacesuits to make them suitable for use outside the spacecraft. Among other things, the design of the moving parts of the spacesuit has been improved and thermoregulation has been improved. The redesigned helmet features a new coating to better protect astronauts’ eyes from sunlight. A head-up display is also integrated into the helmet, which will display information about the status of the suit during spacewalks.

SpaceX’s new spacesuits have already undergone extensive laboratory testing, including a test in which the Crew Dragon capsule was placed in a vacuum chamber and then depressurized. SpaceX Vice President Stu Keech noted during the presentation that all tests went as expected.

These suits will be important steps towards creating scalable spacesuit designs for future long-duration missions, including building a base on the Moon and a city on Mars. These missions will require millions of spacesuits, the company says.