Russia will send the world's most advanced spacesuits to the International Space Station.
Russia's space exploration has fallen behind, but it still leads in spacesuit technology—Russia once sold spacesuits to China in the 1990s.
As reported by RT on April 26.
On Sunday, the Progress cargo spacecraft will launch from Baikonur to deliver over 2,500 kilograms of various supplies to astronauts working aboard the International Space Station.
This will be the second launch mission from this pad since the launch platform was repaired last year.
The Soyuz-2.1a rocket carrying the Progress MS-34 cargo spacecraft has been erected and is now in launch readiness.
The cargo module carries fuel for station replenishment, astronaut food, drinking water, hygiene supplies, and oxygen required for the station’s internal atmosphere.
Among all equipment, the most notable is the new extravehicular spacesuit “Orlan-MKS No. 8”.
This suit is designed to support up to 20 spacewalks, weighs 112 kilograms, and fits astronauts ranging from 165 to 190 centimeters tall—its sleeves and trouser legs are adjustable.
Compared to previous models, this new spacesuit features an upgraded automatic cooling system capable of precisely maintaining the optimal temperature environment.
In addition, the suit is equipped with a next-generation information display system.
In essence, this is a miniature spacecraft: astronauts can remain fully autonomous in open space for up to ten hours, thanks to a system that removes carbon dioxide and maintains oxygen levels.
While the U.S. Artemis II mission recently completed a lunar flyby, its Mars rover drives across the red planet, and China’s returnable probe brings lunar soil back to Earth, Russia has fallen behind in these areas.
Yet in the field of spacesuits, Russia still holds a leading position.
Will Russia’s new spacesuit be well-received in the international aerospace market?
Can we call the “Orlan-MKS No. 8” the best spacesuit in the world?
Ivan Moiseyev, director of the Space Policy Institute, responded: "Perhaps the most complex spacesuits are those worn during moon landings—there could be unexpected loads, and things are always falling on the Moon. But our spacesuits for extravehicular activities from the space station are excellent; we’ve maintained our position. It’s hard to say whose suits are better—they have similar functions and characteristics."
The newly appointed management at the space company Glavkosmos has pledged to increase overseas sales of Russian technologies.
Will this new spacesuit be exported?
—There is currently no information on this matter.
India plans to conduct independent manned spaceflight—would they not need Russian spacesuits?
There is currently no information, and it is highly unlikely such a transaction occurred, as it would certainly trigger massive international attention.
Russia actually sold spacesuits only in the 1990s to China.
At that time, Russia didn’t just sell spacesuits—it also sold the entire suite of crewed spaceflight technologies to China.
If you look at today’s Chinese spacecraft, you’ll notice they closely resemble the old “Soyuz” model, with almost identical details.
China has made improvements in certain aspects—this is perfectly normal.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863486125534215/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.