Apollo Pressure Suits
This spacesuit was worn by astronaut Neil Armstrong, Commander of the Apollo 11 mission, which landed the first man on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
The lunar spacesuits were designed to provide a life sustaining environment for the astronaut during periods of extra vehicular activity or during unpressurized spacecraft operation. They permitted maximum mobility and were designed to be worn with relative comfort for up to 115 hours in conjunction with the liquid cooling garment. If necessary, they were also capable of being worn for 14 days in an unpressurized mode.
The spacesuit has the designation A-7L, and was constructed in the Extra-vehicular or EV configuration.
NASA transferred the spacesuit to the National Air and Space Museum in 1971.
Pressure Suit, A7-LB, was made for, and worn by James Irwin, lunar module pilot of the Apollo 15 mission that landed in July, 1971. This was the first mission to use the lunar roving vehicle. The spacesuit was designed to provide a life-sustaining environment during periods of extra vehicular activity or during unpressurized spacecraft operation. It optimized mobility and was designed to be worn with relative comfort for up to 115 hours in conjunction with the liquid cooling garment.
Spacesuit locations in the Museum
Pressure Suit, A7-L, Armstrong, Apollo 11, is on display in the The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Find it for yourself in our Google Street View!
The Pressure Suit, A7-LB, Irwin, Apollo 15 is a display case on the left side in the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar near the stairs. More details about the spacesuit are located on its label which is on the main floor in the Space Hangar.
Find it for yourself in our Google Street View! Don't forget to look up!
Additional information
Who was this spacesuit made for and worn by?
This spacesuit was made for and worn by James Irwin, the lunar module pilot of the Apollo 15 mission.
When combined with the portable life support system and other components making up the extravehicular mobility unit, how much did the space suit weigh on earth?
It all weighed approximately 185 pounds here on earth.
Why were spacesuits custom fitted?
Spacesuits were custom fitted to ensure optimal mobility and comfort.
Spacesuit Zippers
The locations of the zippers on Irwin’s spacesuit differ from earlier suits. Two zippers - one acting as a restraint and the other that is the pressure-sealing zipper - run from the upper front of the chest around the waist to the lower chest.
Spacesuit Joint Sections
Convoluted joint sections of rubber were located in the shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and ankles. This enabled relatively easy movement while the suit was pressurized.
Spacesuit Life-support Ports
The location of the communication and life-support ports differ from earlier spacesuits. When combined with the portable life support system and other components making up the extravehicular mobility unit, it all weighed approximately 185 pounds here on Earth.