+ 1970 News Releases (7.6 Mb PDF file) - NASA

N, ,TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
MANNEDSPACECRAFT
CENTE
Houston
, Texas
483-5111 May 15, 1970
MSC 70-5O
HOUSTON_ TEXAS---The National Aeronautics and Space Administration_
Manned Spacecraft Center has invited eight firms to submit proposals
for development of a prototype lighweight, intravehicular space suit
assembly for advanced space missions.
The suit is to weigh approximately 10-12 pounds and is to be
comfortable enough to be worn full-time during space flights. It
is believed that a lightweight suit can be developed which will not
restrict astronaut movement when unpressurized and which can be worn
as the primary garment in a shirt-sleeve environment.
The suit will be configured with a soft collapsible helmet which
can be installed quickly if the suit needed to be pressurized in an
emergency.
It is expectem that a three phase contract will be awarded for
design and development of two prototype suits. Design and development
of a first prototype is to be completed nine months from award of a
contract. Any necessary modifications to the prototype will then be
made and a final version prototype will be delivered 16 months from the
award of a contract.
Production of flight qualified suits would be handled under a
separate
contract.
The suit is to be durable enough to withstand pre-flight training
and testing and missions lasting up to one year with daily donning and
doffing. And it is to be designed so a crewman can put it on without
assistance_ hook up to the spacecraft environmental control system and
pressurize the suit within two minutes.
Industry proposals are to be submitted to the Manned Spacecraft
Center by May 27. It is expected that a single contract will be
awarded for prototype aesign and development.