Space Suit

The Apollo Guidance Computer is extremely rare, was very expensive to produce, and an example of state-of-the-art design and fabrication of the period - perhaps even more significantly, it is the common ancestor of every computer.

Collectibles

Space and sci-fi memorabilia breaking records at auction

Last week was a big week in space exploration, with the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and some significant sales of space memorabilia, including US$746,000 for an Apollo Guidance Computer (the brain behind the Lunar landing).

Space

ESA seeks ways to make shared spacesuit underwear more hygienic

ESA is working on ways to make sharing unwashed underwear used in spacesuits a bit less horrible. The Austrian Space Forum will work with the Vienna Textile Lab to test textiles with improved anti-bacterial properties for suits used on long missions.

Space

The hunt for spacesuit materials that can resist destructive lunar dust

An ESA initiative is researching new materials for spacesuits and other equipment that are better able to withstand the destructive effects of lunar dust, which is made of razor-sharp and abrasive particles that cling to everything.

Space

Future NASA astronauts may rely on electron beams to clean spacesuits

Blasting spacesuits with a beam of electrons could cause jagged, abrasive particles of moon dust to leap right off them. Finding a way to deal with the sharp particles is a priority for NASA as the agency seeks to return to the Moon.

Space

NASA's Perseverance rover to test future spacesuit materials on Mars

When NASA’s Perseverance rover touches down on Mars it will carry with it the first ever spacesuit samples to land on the Red Planet. The samples will be exposed to the high-radiation environment to test the durability of future spacesuits.

The Spacesuit from 2001: A Space Odyssey (MGM, 1968)

Collectibles

Space suit from "2001: A Space Odyssey" could break records at auction

The value of movie memorabilia is invariably linked to the importance of the film it comes from. This makes the upcoming auction of the space suit used in Kubrick's masterpiece potentially one of the science fiction auctions of the year.

Space

ESA unveils concept spacesuit glove of the future

ESA has taken the wraps off its concept for the spacesuit glove of the future. The mockup glove designed by the Comex company and designer Agatha Medioni incorporates new gadgets to help astronauts with their work.

Space

"Smart glove" designed to let astronauts control drones

Although drones or other robotic devices could certainly help astronauts to explore other planets, controlling the things while wearing spacesuit gloves would be a challenge. It was with this in mind that the Astronaut Smart Glove was created.

Space

NASA previews next-generation spacesuit for Artemis missions

NASA has previewed the new spacesuit that will protect American astronauts on their return to the Moon as part of the Artemis missions.

Space

Astronauts upgrade ISS batteries during 7-hour spacewalk

NASA’s Christina Koch and Andrew Morgan have successfully completed a seven-hour spacewalk to the outpost’s vital power systems.

Space

First all-female spacewalk cancelled due to lack of right-sized suits

History's first all-female spacewalk has been cancelled at the last moment due to a problem with the spacesuits. The lack of two spacesuits to fit both women at the same time has forced the space agency to swap one of the team with a male astronaut.

Space

European astronauts practice moonwalks in anticipation of new lunar missions

Fifty years after the first manned mission to the Moon, ESA is training a new generation of astronauts to work on the lunar surface. The new explorers are using simulated moonwalks in Spain to test a range of advanced electronic aids, new geological tools, and improved scientific protocols.