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Litton began adapting its line of vacuum chambers suits first for the Air Force in 1955 and then for NASA in 1964. The Litton suits were articulated exoskeletons that maintained a constant volume through a full range of motion. This suit was called the RX-3 of which only one was made for the NASA Lunar program. It is of modular construction with magnesium/lithium alloys in the rotary seals, and electron-beam welding techniques which helped reduce the weight of this suit to 63 lbs from the 90 pound weight of previous models

These experimental suits were part of NASA's Advanced Extra-Vehicular Suits (AES) program. They could operate at higher pressure, thus reducing the time-consuming oxygen pre-breathing period before extra vehicular activities.

NASA transferred this suit to the Museum in 1976.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date 11/1966 Country of Origin United States of America Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Pressure Suits Manufacturer Litton Industries
 Dimensions Approximately: 75 inches long x 35 inches wide x 16 inches deep (190.5 x 88.9 x 40.64cm)
 Materials Overall: Aluminium honeycomb with fiberglass and PVC covering
Knees: Lamb or goatskin covering
Other: Anodized aluminum, steel, natural rubber, copper, plastic, velcro, neoprene-coated nylon, leather
 Inventory Number A19760872000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA Johnson Space Center Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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