Ekateringburg, Russia -- A new space suit for International Space Station (ISS) cosmonauts that uses polyurethane instead of rubber coating is 35kg lighter and longer lasting than its predecessor, according to developers.
Russian firm Zvedza NPP, part of Technodinamika of Rostec State Corporation, developed the innovative suit over several years.
Due to be sent to ISS this year, the suits will allow 20 space walks, rather than the 15 currently allowed – increasing the lifespan by one year to five.
The suit provides thermal control based on load level vs oxygen and carbon dioxide, according to the developer.
The suit also contains a mechanism that shields the wearer from depressurisation for 30 to 50 minutes – long enough for the cosmonaut to return to base if pressure drops while carrying out repairs.
Technodinamika ceo Maxim Kuzyuk said: "The suit greatly outperforms its world analogues in many respects.”
It was showcased at Innoprom International industrial exhibition in Ekateringburg in July, 2015.
