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This is the Apollo A7-L extravehicular mobility unit (EMU). It was the actual model of the spacesuit that was used on the lunar surface. It had a rear zipper entry, which required assistance to get into and seal. Its design was based largely on that of the A6-L, and had many similarities to it. It had six connectors on the chest area of the suit.
It also had quick disconnects at the head for an open pressure helmet, and at the wrists for gloves.
In its pressure suit configuration, regular pressure gloves were worn, along with a transparent fishbowl-like airtight helmet. Lunar overshoes were ommitted, as they were not needed, and no backpack or control box was needed, instead the suit connected directly to the crafts life support system, or the suit could be supplied with oxygen for a short time (approx 30-40 minutes) from a suitcase-like oxygen supply pack.
In its extravehicular configuration, a helmet with a gold-coated visor was worn. The faceplate was open only in the front, not over the entire head, as with the pressure helmet. The extravehicular gloves were heavier than the regular pressure gloves, and were bulkier. They came up over the attachment rings and covered them. A water-cooled undergarment was also worn in the EVA configuration and it was supplied with water from the backpack. It also had a urine collection device, which was emptied from a port under a flap on the right leg. Lunar overshoes were also worn over the pressure boots, and a backpack controlled by a chest box was worn to supply the suit with air, water and communication power.
These are images of the fully configured A7-L, in its extravehicular state. All umbilicals are attached in the proper configuration. Man, I would really like to wear one of these things.



This picture is of an astronaut wearing the fully-EVA configured A7-L in a testing scenario. He is not attached to any external umbilicals - he is relying totally on the backpack he is wearing for his breathing oxygen, cooling water, and communications. The straps connected to the pack relieve five-sixths of his weight, making him feel like he is on the moon.

A photo of Neil Armstrong's actual Apollo 11 A7-L suit before the flight. Many components of the pressure suit assembly are visible.
This is a photo of Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin testing the A7-L in full extravehicular gear. The hoses on his left supply him with oxygen. The straps on the backpack support five-sixths of his weight, making him feel as light as he would on the moon.
Here, two astronauts compare the mobility of two different Apollo spacesuits. The one on the left is older, and is less flexible. The one on the right is the final A7-L, and it is more flexible and also has a layer of flame-retardant Beta cloth covering it. The flame-proof cover was implemented after the Apollo 1 disaster.
An A7-L in its pressure suit configuration.
An astronaut wearing the A7-L in its IVA configuration, fully connected to a life-support system and communications unit. He is wearing the full suit, and is fully sealed. I wouldn't mind being that astronaut, just to wear the suit!
These are pictures of Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 space suit. The suit is not configured, and only the gloves are attached. The pressure helmet is visible at the feet.
Click on this image to learn more about the PLSS backpack life support system.
Donning the A7-L
Donning the A7-L required the assistance of at least one person and took about 45 minutes. NOTE- steps in italics are only for the EVA configuration.

Step one- Put on the undergarment, if this is the regular pressure suit, the undergarment will simply be cloth, if it is the EVA configuration, the undergarment will have cooling water tubes.

Step two- Insert legs into the legs of the suit. Open the rear suit zipper fully and step into the legs.

Step three- Connect internal umbilicals. Attach biomedical wires on undergarment to connectors on inside of suit. Connect the water tubes to the water connectors on the inside of the suit.

Step four- Insert head through neck ring. Bend down into the suit and push your head up through the neck ring.

Step five- Slide your arms into the sleeves. Insert your arms into the suits sleeves, and slide the suit's arms over your arms.

Step six- Seal the suit zipper. Stand up and have an assistant zip the suit's pressure-sealing zipper closed from the base of the neck ring, down between your legs, and up to about your navel. Snap the zipper slide in place with the snap. Then, cover the zipper with the zipper cover, down the back and up to the entrance slide fastener flap. Close the flap with the snaps.

Step seven- Connect the umbilicals. Connect at least one of each oxygen hose, and the communication cable to the appropriate connectors on the front of the suit. Connect the oxygen hoses to the portable oxygen system (POS - the suitcase)and activate it. -or-Connect the double water hose to the proper connection on the inside of the suit. This will provide cooling water from the PLSS (Portable Life Support System - the backpack). Connect the oxygen hoses from the backpack to the connectors on the front of the suit. Connect the communications cable to the suit's power harness. Attach the PLSS control box to your chest and activate the PLSS.

Step eight- Put on the communication carrier cap (Snoopy hat). The communication carrier cap is the light cloth cap with the headphones and microphone in it. Put it on and fasten the chin strap. Connect the wire to the communication hookup in the suit.

Step nine- Put on gloves. If using suit as regular pressure suit (IVA configuration), put on the lightweight black pressure gloves. If using the EVA configuration, put on the gray extravehicular gloves.

Step ten- Put on the proper helmet. Both helmets fit in the neck ring. Insert the helmet with the faceplate facing 45 degrees to your left into the neck ring. Press gently down on the helmet and turn it to your right, until you hear a faint click and the faceplate is facing forward. Then, grasp the neck ring slider and push it to your right until it locks.

Congratulations, you are now wearing an Apollo space suit that is fully isolated from the outside environment. I would love to try an A7-L on. That must be a really neat experience.


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