Boeing Starliner Spacesuit Makes Public Debut: Minimalist And Very Blue

Boeing has taken the wraps off its new Starliner spacesuit for the first time, giving the public its first look at the suit that astronauts will wear on their way to the International Space Station. The spacesuit will be worn by travelers hitching rides to and from low-Earth orbit destinations (like the ISS) via the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. Unlike traditional spacesuits, Boeing's creation is rather minimalist and very blue.

Traditionally, spacesuits have been bulky and heavy, weighing somewhere around 30lbs with a large neck ring and other things. In contrast, Boeing's suit weighs about 12lbs — or, more accurately, it is about 40-percent lighter than usual. As well, these spacesuits are highly saturated blue rather than white or bright orange.

Despite being simplified, the Starliner spacesuit is airtight and generally considered an improvement over past spacesuits — and, Boeing says, it is 'cooler' in comparison. There's no external cooling needed due to the specialized design, and the helmet is smaller, with a zipper controlling the opening and closing. The air hoses, meanwhile, are on the torso portion of the suit.

The gloves are also highlighted as unique with advanced materials for interacting with tablets and other devices with touch screens. These are joined by the sleek-looking boots, which are both slip-resistant and breathable. Finally, there's a communication headset within the helmet, which is itself made from polycarbonate with a wide angle visor.

SOURCE: Boeing

Main image via Flickr