Definition of pressure suit

The term "pressure suit" originated during the Space Race era in the 1960s, specifically in relation to space technology. At the time, the Soviet Union and the United States were competing to become the first countries to put a human in space and then on the moon. One of the significant challenges in space travel was the lack of atmosphere in outer space, which could expose astronauts to lethal levels of radiation, extreme temperatures, and deprive them of oxygen. A pressure suit is an airtight garment designed to protect a human's body from the detrimental environmental factors of outer space. The suit creates a pressurized atmosphere inside to simulate the Earth's atmosphere, allowing the human inside to breathe and maintain a normal atmospheric pressure. The suit also protects the human from harsh temperatures and helps them maintain a stable body temperature. The first prototype of a pressure suit was developed by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s for their Vostok program, and the United States followed soon after for their Gemini program. The technology and design of these suits have evolved with time, as researchers and engineers continue to learn more about the unique conditions of space travel and the implications they have on the human body. In short, the term "pressure suit" is a reflection of the need to create a sealed environment with sufficient pressure inside to allow a human to survive in the low-pressure vacuum of outer space.