The “Z-1 Prototype Spacesuit and Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 2.0,” to give it its proper name, is what is called a “rear-entry space suit” made up of a combination of several hard elements mounted on a suit of fabric that’s flexible when uninflated. To get in, the astronaut uses a “suitport.” This is a combined hatch and life support pack on the back of the suit’s torso. The neat thing about the Z-1 is that the hatch allows it to latch onto a spaceship, rover or habitat.
Once docked, the suit’s hatch can open inside the craft and the astronaut can get in and out of the suit without using an airlock. This means that the wearer can get in and out much faster, less air is wasted than with an airlock and the astronaut doesn’t have to do so much “Prebreathing.” That is, inhaling pure oxygen to avoid getting the bends in the lower pressure of the suit. The Z-1 makes this less necessary because it operates at the same pressure as a spaceship. It has to or the hatch wouldn’t open because of the pressure difference.
In addition to the hatch, the Z-1 also boasts improved bearings in the waist, hips, upper legs and ankles for greater freedom of movement, and new urethane-coated nylon and polyester layers to maintain pressure and control the suit from billowing.
via NASA’s first new spacesuit in 20 years is its own airlock.
