Fun With Retro Spacesuits From The Smithsonian

Totally possible when wearing a spacesuit: high kicks!

NASA had to perfect the spacesuit to get man on the moon. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has a collection that reflects this development, which is the subject of Spacesuits: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection.

The $30 book is a photo essay that covers the evolution of the NASA spacesuit, from the early Project Mercury to the historic Apollo program. Covered are specific oddities associated with the evolutionary process, such as spacesuit testers playing baseball and football, and a suit with "steel fignernails and sharkskin pads". There are also a few photos devoted to concept spacesuits that have yet seen mission usage, or the "surprising fragility" of the suits.

Our first impression? Owning a printed copy of the picture above is probably worth the purchase.

Spacesuits: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection ($29.95)