New NASA Spacesuit Looks Like Buzz Lightyear!
NASA was obviously inspired by Buzz Lightyear's look in Toy Story when they designed this new prototype space suit called the Z-1! We can't say for sure if the Buzz Lightyear look was intentional, but it does look just like Buzz.
Thanks to Daily Mail we've got some details on the functions of the suit for those of you who are interested in what it can do.
Astronauts will be able to climb into it as quickly as you see in films, and not take an hour as they do now. The new suit will also effectively be its own airlock, dispensing with the need to spend time getting the pressure right.
The 'Z-1 Prototype Spacesuit and Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 2.0', to give it its full title, will hopefully be ready in the next couple of years.
On the rear will be a giant backpack which doubles as a hatch that can latch onto another space ship or Rover-like vehicle. There is therefore no need for ‘Prebreathing’ which involves using oxygen to make sure the suit is the same pressure as the ship, and can take up to an hour.
There will be better bearings on the legs, ankles, hips and waist to help astronauts move more naturally whilst a urethane-coated nylon and polyester layers control the pressure more efficiently.
New technology will also create more efficient cooling and will get rid of carbon dioxide more easily. Currently certain components have to be baked between missions to get rid of it.
