Configuration One
The "Configuration One" suit, worn for launch, landing, for extreme emergencies, and for microgravity EVAs, will resemble the current ACES pressure suit used by NASA astronauts on Space Shuttle flights. Unlike the current suit, which were based on the G3C suit worn by the Gemini 3 crew and later adapted for use by the U.S. Air Force for high-altitude operations, the "Configuration One" suit will feature a closed-loop environmental system (similar to that of a rebreather – the ACES suit uses a SCUBA-like open-loop system, limiting its operations above 100,000 feet/30,500 meters), new bearings in the shoulder, elbows, wrists, hip, and knees, and a full-pressure helmet with a swivel faceplate (closed by a mechanical seal) and incorporating a sunshade. Like the older G3C suit, the "Configuration One" suit will be made up of five layers, the innermost being a rubberized pressure-retaining bladder made of neoprene cloth, and covered with a Nomex cover layer in international orange color.
In the event a microgravity EVA is conducted, instead of the Primary Life Support System backpack worn by Apollo, Space Shuttle, and ISS crews, astronauts will rely on a life-support umbilical used on all Gemini and Skylab flights. As the Orion spacecraft lacks an airlock like that found on the Shuttle and the ISS, all members of the spacecraft crew will be required to be suited up, as the entire cabin would be depressurized (similar to that employed on Gemini and Apollo), thus microgravity EVAs conducted from an Orion spacecraft would only be of an emergency nature.
The "Configuration One" system is capable of supporting an astronaut crew for approximately 120 hours in the event of an emergency cabin depressurization.
Manufacturer: Oceaneering International (David Clark Company as subcontractor)
Missions: TBA, but ready to fly by 2015.
Function: Intra-vehicular activity (IVA) and emergency Orbital Extra-vehicular activity (EVA)
Operating Pressure: Approx. 8 psi (55 kPa)
Primary Life Support: Vehicle Provided
Read more about this topic: Constellation Space Suit, Design