A comprehensive report that explains in detail the EMU spacesuits used by NASA

Spacesuits are brilliant works of engineering that function, in effect, as single-crew spacecraft.

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These suits serve to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures and a lack of pressure that would have fatal consequences for any human being. Spacesuits are divided into two categories: intravehicular and extravehicular, although there are models that serve both purposes inside and outside a spacecraft. Two years ago, we reviewed the history of these suits here.

During the Apollo program, NASA began using the Apollo EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) spacesuit. This suit cost $100,000 in 1969 (equivalent to $882,768 today). It is the most famous spacesuit, as it was used by NASA during the Apollo 11 mission that took humans to the Moon.

NASA continues to use variations of this suit. The Baseline EMU began use in 1982 with the space shuttles, weighing 49 kg and providing 8 hours of life support. Since 1998, NASA has used the Enhanced EMU, which weighs 55 kg. This is the type of suit used on the International Space Station (ISS). Yesterday, Jared Owen's YouTube channel (which I recommend you subscribe to) released an excellent video showing how NASA's EMU suits work and how they are made:

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Main photo: NASA/Mike Hopkins.