US Spacesuits, (Praxis books, Space Expl oration)

Provides an appreciation of spacesuits and US suit efforts, through development challenges to their role in space exploration. This text explains how the routine use of clothing provides a link to the function of spacesuits and why spacesuits are far more than garments.

Introduction.- Reaching Upward and Outward.- The Basics of Space Suits.- Crew Escap. Rescue and Survival Spacesuits.- Gemin. The First Approaches to Exploring and Working in Space.- Walking and Riding on the Moon.- Advanced Development for Cancelled Apollo Missions.- US Air Force Extra-Vehicular Spacesuit Efforts.- Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Efforts.- The Space Shuttle Program Orbital EVA Comes of Age.- The Next Generation of Spacesuits.- Epilogue.- Bibliography.- Index.

From the reviews:"This excellent book ... presents the basics of the environment in which a space suit must operate, starting with the need for aircraft suit requirements in WW I. Thomas and McMann show the history of the development of suits for in-cabin use, space walking, escape systems, and general life support. ... For readers who seek detailed information on space suits. Summing Up: Recommended. Faculty, researchers, professionals." (W. E. Howard III, CHOICE, Vol. 43 (10), June, 2006)"The authors provide the reader with an appreciation of spacesuits and U.S. suit efforts through development challenges to their role in space exploration. ... The book details the technical evolution of U.S. spacesuits from their roots in high-altitude aviation and vacuum tube development to the present day, with an additional look into the future. ... It also includes many technically and historically interesting efforts that never reached flight ... ." (Quest, Vol. 13 (4), 2006)"The authors describe in detail the development of the various spacesuits developed in the US ... . In the process they provide a fair amount of 'spacesuit technology' by drawing our attention on the design requirements. ... useful appendices of the book provide a summary of the actual operational suits that were produced as well as a detailed listing of the EVAs that were performed with these suits. The book is clearly aimed at spacesuit specialists, making it a unique and wonderful source of information." (Jos Heyman, Tiros Space Information, April, 2006)"In his introduction, astronaut and spacewalker Storey Musgrave describes this book as 'historical, massively comprehensive, precise, informative, relevant and readable'. I completely agree: everything you ever wanted to know about US spacesuits is here, well illustrated, well set out and, for such a specialist topic, quite readable too. Strongly recommended for die-hard spaceflight enthusiasts, historians, or aerospace engineers with a professional in