Amanda Young's new book, "Spacesuits," highlights detailssuch as the silicone fingertips of this Apollo EVA Glove -
Kate Kilpatrick - Washington Post
Spacesuits are the ultimate in couture. Think about it: custom-fit garments, dozens of layers deep, made from innovative textiles that can run $5,000 per square foot, with eye-catching accessories. And the footwear? Near impossible to walk in.
Often, the outfits are worn just once before becoming fragile artifacts that deteriorate and corrode.
"To last was never a consideration," says Amanda Young, spacesuit caretaker for the National Air and Space Museum. "They were built to do their short, hard job with no failures."
Spacesuits are the ultimate in couture. Think about it: custom-fit garments, dozens of layers deep, made from innovative textiles that can run $5,000 per square foot, with eye-catching accessories. And the footwear? Near impossible to walk in.
Often, the outfits are worn just once before becoming fragile artifacts that deteriorate and corrode.
"To last was never a consideration," says Amanda Young, spacesuit caretaker for the National Air and Space Museum. "They were built to do their short, hard job with no failures."
