Russian space technology firm, Zvezda, has revealed designs for individual sealed capsules that may eventually replace today’s standard, fish-bowl head spacesuits. The “egg-like” capsules would be sealed from inside and protect the crew member during dangerous stages of the flight. Still in the early stages of design, the shelters have yet to be commissioned. As they still lack any kind of life support structure, it seems unlikely that they’ll get the go-ahead any time soon. Zvezda is subcontracted by Energia, the head developer of Russia’s next-generation manned spacecraft: the Rus. Somewhat ironically, their role is to make crew seats and life support systems for the new spacecraft. Without life support systems in place in the new suits, however, the astronauts are more likely to end up scrambled, than safely protected by their shells. Since flight tests for the Rus are scheduled for 2015, Zvezda had best get cracking on their spacesuit design.
[RT]