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Description
In the late 1940s, long before the eventual Apollo program was developed across the pond, a group of space enthusiasts gather in a small house in London to discuss a new design for a space suit designed to allow an individual to live and work on the moon. Harry Ross’s design shows that consideration was given to a number of possible issues that would be faced by a lunar astronaut. Temperature extremes on the surface of the moon vary from 248 °F at noon to -238 °F at night. Several precautions were taken to protect the explorers from these extremes, including reflective materials designed to keep heat away and a black chest piece designed to radiate it out. As the moon has no breathable atmosphere, air supply was another vital concern. Oxygen was to be stored in onboard tanks, and carbon dioxide removed by a special sodium peroxide scrubber. The reaction of this chemical with CO2 would produce breathable oxygen, limiting the need for onboard oxygen storage. This chemical removal method parallels the eventual designs found in the Apollo Lunar Module, which used Lithium Hydroxide for this purpose. The outer surface of the suit was to be made of a layered composite. Outwards in layers of closely woven cloth, a heat resistant material such as kapok or wool, an airtight sheath of fabric backed rubber, and an interior lining for comfort. A dual walled design limited conduction of heat into and out of the suit, similar to how a thermos keeps a beverage warm. In the center of the chest a small airlock was placed to allow an object of scientific interest to be placed inside and inspected more closely by the wearer.
College Name
Honors College
Instructor Name
Reagan Grimsley
Publication Date
Spring 2025
Recommended Citation
Champney, Evan, "Design of a 1940s British Lunar Space Suit" (2025). HON 399 Study Abroad Posters. 20.
https://louis.uah.edu/honors-399/20