Lunar spacesuit

2023: First Trials

On June 16, 2023, Roskosmos announced the first tests of the lunar spacesuit layout. It was created by the Zvezda research and production enterprise named after Academician G.I. Severin with the participation of the Central Scientific Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering and the Center for Cosmonaut Training (CPC) named after Yu.A. Gagarin.

The first model of the spacesuit on the "Exit-2" neutralization simulator was tested by the deputy head of the CPC for cosmonaut training - the commander of the cosmonaut detachment Oleg Kononenko, who appreciated its mobility and convenience when walking, jumping, squatting, climbing and descending on an inclined surface and working with tools.

Roscosmos announced the first tests of the lunar spacesuit layout

Oleg Kononenko had a positive impression of the layout. According to the astronaut, the spacesuit is quite spacious, the bearings installed in the spacesuit increase the mobility of the hands, the working surface and reach are expanded, the volume of the helmet makes it possible to easily rotate the head.

Its mobility and performance were checked. I performed typical operations: docked electrical connectors, pulled on leers, tried to walk - everything that would be done on the surface of the moon. The impressions are the most positive. I feel joy and pride that I take part in such an experiment. The spacesuit is quite spacious, the bearings are installed in such a way that the mobility of the hands is increased, the working surface and reach are expanded. The volume of the seal is such that I can calmly rotate my head and look in different directions, - said Kononenko.

According to Alexander Tyukhtin, Deputy Chief Designer of the Zvezda NPP for Space Equipment and Equipment, the layout was made during a research work to create the appearance of a lunar spacesuit in order to assess the operation of hinges in conditions of lunar attraction.^[1]

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