When you get dressed for the day, you have to think about what the weather is going to be like that day and what you'll be doing - Is it cold outside? Is it sunny or cloudy? Are you going to play soccer? Is it picture day at school? Are you going to the library to check out books?
It's the same for astronauts when they get dressed for space. They wear different spacesuits based on where they are going and what they'll be doing there. Will they be exploring the surface of the Moon? Will they be doing science experiments in a space station? Spacesuits are designed to keep astronauts comfortable and safe during their missions.
Check out the activities below to learn more about the different types of spacesuits, and how their design has changed over time.
Best for ages 10 and up with help from a grown-up
Watch astronaut Randy Bresnik explain how astronauts stay safe during spacewalks outside of the International Space Station. The flexible parts of the suit are made from as many as 16 layers of material. The layers do different jobs, like keeping oxygen inside the spacesuit and protecting from space dust.
Then watch museum educators Marty Kelsey and Beth Wilson as they demonstrate how to create a spacesuit to protect a potato, or the Taternaut!
You can do the activity at home too!
Step 1: Test out what happens to the Taternaut when it's not wearing a protective spacesuit.
Step 2: Create a multilayered spacesuit for your Taternaut.
Step 3: Test your spacesuit.
Think about it:
Best for ages 4 to 10
Watch this Flights of Fancy Story Time read by museum educator Ann Caspari and imagine along with three friends preparing for a mission to Mars.
Part of their preparation is to think about what they need to survive when exploring another planet.
An important part of an astronaut's spacesuit is the helmet. The helmet provides oxygen to the astronaut. There is a small foam block so astronauts can scratch their noses if they get itchy! The helmet also has a visor with a special gold coating to protect the astronaut from the sun's strong rays.
At the end of the video, follow along and create your own astronaut helmet out of a paper bag.
Meet engineer Christine Jerome, who combines her love of dance, science, and engineering to help develop the newest spacesuits for the Artemis missions to the Moon.
Soar Together at Air and Space is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman.