THE SPACE SUIT GAP

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06757671
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: November 22, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-00347
• Publication Date: July 28, 1972

Approved for Release: 2019/11/06 C06757671
�secret_
(b)(3)
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
WEEKLY SUMMARY
28 July 1972
No. 0380/72
Copy N2 51
Approved for Release: 2019/11/06 C06757671
:Approved for Release: 2019/11/06 C06757671
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CONTENTS (28 July 1972)
NR Rec
ord
2 USSR: Economy; Space
NR Reco
rd
Approved for Release: 2019/11/06 C06757671
Approved for Release: 2019/11/06 C06757671
THE SPACE SUIT GAP
v"--
tThe Soviets are trying to improve their space
suit technology in anticipation of further manned
'missions. They will require space suits like the
ones used on US Apollo flights, and they are
actively trying to obtain US suits for technical
exploitation.
Soviet development of space suits has lagged
considerably behind the US. Since the start of
their manned space program, the Soviets have
introduced only two types of pressurized space
suits�both in the early 1960s. These suits were
cumbersome and, when inflated, greatly restricted
the movements of the cosmonautsj
,
t a recent meeting of the joint US-USSR
working group in space biology and medicine.
Soviet participants showed great interest in the
space suits used in the US lunar-landing program.
They referred to a pending request to the
National Aeronautical and Space Administration
to buy several suits from the US manufacturer.
In comparison with Soviet models, US space
suits are relatively compact and flexible, allowing
the astronauts considerable freedom of move-
ment. The advanced technology of US wits,
would help the Soviets in designing better suitilA
US-type suit would be essential for a Soviet lunar
landing, where mobility would be a critical factor.
Such a landing attempt is not likely for at least
several years.
The Soviets have not usec' pressurized
suits on manned space flights since 1969 when
two crew members transferred from one space-
craft to another. In the six subsequent manned
flights, the cosmonauts have worn only flight
suits, apparently becuase the Soviets do not be-
lieve that pressurized suits are necessary for mis-
Soyuz-11 Cosmonauts in Soviet Spacecraft
sions involving no activity outside the spacecraft.
The Soyuz-11 cosmonauts who died during re-
entry last year probably would have survived the
sudden depressurization of their capsule if they
had been wearing pressurized suits. The couches
in the Soyuz re-entry capsule, however, could not
have accommodated three cosmonauts wearing
the bulky Soviet suits.
Changes in the Soyuz spacecraft probably
were made as a result of the Soyuz-11 accident
and presumably were tested earlier this month
during the flight of Cosmos 496�an unmanned
Soyuz vehicle. As a safety precaution, the Soviets
may also introduce a new space suit or a modified
version of an older model during their next space
mission. There are indications that another
manned flight is planned within the next two
weeks or so, probably involving another extended
stay by cosmonauts aboard a Salyut space sta-
tion.)
Page 14 WEEKLY SUMMARY 28 Jul 72
Approved for Release: 2019/11/06 C06757671