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This aviation full pressure suit was made by B.F. Goodrich Company for the U.S. Navy in the early 1960s and is considered to be the forerunner of the Mercury spacesuit.

The suit was designed primarily for pilots flying high altitude aircraft. It is a two-layer suit with a rubber bladder on the interior and a green nylon exterior. It was not equipped with integrated or specialized boots. A pilot would wear leather boots over rubber foot stockings integrated into the suit. NASA obtained this suit from the USN to perform testing and evaluation as the agency prepared to send Mercury astronauts into space.

NASA transferred this suit to the Museum in 1977.

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
Country of Origin United States of America Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Pressure Suits Manufacturer B.F. Goodrich
Dimensions Overall: 50.8 x 22.86 x 157.48cm (1ft 8in. x 9in. x 5ft 2in.)
Materials Exterior: Nylon, anodized aluminum
Zippers: Brass, cotton
Interior: Rubber/neoprene
Hardware: Steel, aluminum, glass, phenolic resin, brass, PVC
Inventory Number A20020093000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA Johnson Space Center Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.