Next Generation Spacesuit Designed To Meet Changing Mission Requirements

NASA has awarded an 18 month contract for the design, manufacture and testing the next generation of NASA's spacesuits – the Z-2 - to ILC Dover. The new suit, designed for enhanced spacewalk capability, will operate at higher pressure levels than previous models, which will greatly improve exploration work efficiency.

"This contract is a testimonial to the continued trust and faith NASA and the Johnson Space Center (JSC) have in ILC Dover – a partnership that has existed since the Apollo space missions," said Patricia Stoll, Space Suit Assembly Product Manager, ILC Dover.  "We are honored to have been awarded this contract and we look forward to working with NASA to develop the next generation spacesuit that may eventually walk on the surface of the moon or Mars."  

The Z-2 will be designed to interface with NASA's portable life support system currently under development at the JSC.  The new suit will also be designed to interface with both classical air locks and NASA's latest suit port design.

ILC Dover will be working with the following teammates on this project:  Air-Lock Inc., Analytical Mechanical Associates, University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials, Wolverine World Wide, Devilsfork Consulting, and the Philadelphia University.

The public will be able to track the various stages of manufacturing, testing and delivery of the Z-2 through a specifically designated section of ILC Dover's website.

(Image provided by ILC Dover)

FMI: www.ilcdover/Z2