Russian Spacesuits

Russian spacesuits is a unique contribution to space science. The authors, part of the original Zveda team that manufactured spacesuits for the first Russian space flights, still play an integral role in spacesuit research and development. Thus there is no-one better to describe the technical innovations of the past 40 years, which enabled Gagarin's first flight in 1961, the first space walk in 1965 and the Mir missions of the 1980s and 1990s, and which have culminated in today's International space Station. The authors also describe how the political climate within the Soviet Union and internationally has affected the development of the space programme and their work. Many documents are published for the first time that, together with photographs, detailed descriptions of the events of the time and the authors' personal memories, provide a fascinating review of a previously unknown aspect of space science

From the reviews:

"It is an important contribution to the literature of manned space flight. The authors cover a lot of ground in this detailed book, from pre-space age high-altitude pressure suits to the Sokol and Orian suits used on present-day Soyuz/ISS missions. … There are several appendices, including full-page photos and technical descriptions of each suit type … . A first-rate book for anyone interested in the more technical aspects of space flight." (Liftoff, Issue 225, January-February, 2005)

"The book is intended as a documentary history of space suit development, and covers the suits designed for all phases of the Russian programme. … the authors have thoughtfully provided an appendix giving a page of technical details and a photograph for some 30 different suits. For the serious student, there is also a bibliography, an index and a tabular summary of EVA statistics … . it features a wealth of photos, diagrams detailing this - one must admit - rather specialised subject." (International Space Review, 2005)

"This is the story of Russian spacesuit design. … The Russian authors are the very people who designed the spacesuits that made Russia the world’s leading space faring nation. … This book tells the story of all the different Russian spacesuits, starting with the bright orange pressure suit worn by Yuri Gagarin and the first cosmonauts. … Strongly recommended." (Brian Harvey, Astronomy & Space, June, 2004)

"This work is … by some of the most instrumental figures in the development of Soviet/Russian EVA suits, scientists who designed the first space suit worn by Yuri Gagarin in 1961 … . Each suit is carefully explained, and illustrated with a variety of photographs … . This book is, in short a complete history of the development of Soviet/Russian space suits, unparalleled in detail and ease of understanding. This book is a must for anyone interested in space suit design and history …." (Laura Parker, AURORA, November, 2003)

"This is an excellent book and one that offers a wealth of data on a subject very little is known about. … The book includes fascinating revelations of the suits intended to be used on the Soviet manned lunar program … . There are also handy sections on ‘who’s who’ in Russian suit technology, and three appendix covering the statistical and technical data. Long overdue, this is a must for any space library … ." (Dave Shayler, Spaceflight, Vol. 46 (3), 2004)