NASA
Alan Shepard
YEAR: 1961
WEIGHT: 22 pounds
COOL FACT: this was the first spacesuit NASA ever designed! It was worn by Alan Shepard, the first american to soar through space.
Shutterstock.com (Background); NASA (Alan Shepard); Neil A. Armstrong/NASA (Buzz Aldrin); NASA (Mae Jemison); NASA/Joel Kowsky (Orion Suit)
Math,
Space Style
Space is a deadly place. To survive, astronauts wear special protective suits. Some are designed to be worn inside a spacecraft. Others have life-support technology for working outside it. Check out four spacesuits from the past to the present!
By Jess McKenna-Ratjen
From the March/April 2026 Issue
MERCURY SPACESUIT
EXTRAVEHICULAR MOBILITY UNIT MODEL A7L
NASA
Buzz Aldrin
YEAR: 1969
WEIGHT: 201 pounds
COOL FACT: Buzz Aldrin wore this suit when he and Neil Armstrong became the first humans to walk on the moon. Its technology included a device that could collect an astronaut’s pee!
LAUNCH ENTRY SUIT
NASA
Mae Jemison
YEAR: 1992
WEIGHT: 78 pounds
COOL FACT: Mae Jemison was the first Black woman in space. She wore this suit for launch and landing. It included a parachute in case of emergency.
ORION CREW SURVIVAL SYSTEM
NASA/Joel Kowsky
YEAR: 2026
WEIGHT: 48 pounds
COOL FACT: The Artemis II crew will wear this suit during launch. It’s made from materials that are both lightweight and strong. This allows astronauts to move more easily.
Why do you think each of these spacesuits weighs a different amount?
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