Innovations in helmet design have also been significant. For instance, the helmets on space suits built for spacewalks serve as a pressure bubble and are made of strong plastic to keep the ...

Astronauts Piers J. Sellers (left) and David A. Wolf in the midst of a pre-breathe exercise in preparation for a spacewalk. | ...

The Z-2 is the newest prototype, with a bubble helmet, hard upper torso ... and technology grows apace. Space historian Roger Launius says the first suits were based on what jet pilots wore.

Before leaving the space shuttle to perform tasks in space ... and a parachute pack. The suit, consisting of helmet, communication assembly, torso, gloves and boots, provides counterpressure ...

She is perched on a short stepladder in her workshop at the National Air and Space ... and helmets. Young motioned to some boots. Age had caused them to shrivel and harden. The suits had been ...