California businessman Dennis Tito wore a Sokol KV-2 spacesuit when he became the first tourist in space on April 28, 2001. After months of training and preparation in Moscow and at the Cosmonaut Flight Training Center in Star City, Russia, Tito was launched aboard the Soyuz TM-32 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, and spent six days in the International Space Station. He paid the Russians a reported $20 million for this adventure.

The Sokol ("Falcon") spacesuit was designed in the early 1970s to protect cosmonauts during launch, landing and emergencies. The plugs and tubes extending from the suit connect to life-support systems built into the Soyuz spacecraft. Mr. Tito donated his suit to the Museum in 2003. This plastic cover prevents scratches on the visor of the spacesuit helmet during storage.