Earth & Space
What is a spacesuit for?
The Wusels discover a protective system with a helmet and backpack.
The short answer
A spacesuit provides oxygen and suitable pressure outside a spacecraft. It also protects against large temperature differences. It is a life-support system, not an ordinary thick coat.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
An empty display suit stands on a support at a little space exhibition. Puschel examines the helmet; Flauschi looks at the backpack.
Puschel“Is it a very thick winter coat?”
Flauschi“A suit for going outside into space does much more. It supplies oxygen, a gas for breathing. It also provides the pressure needed inside.”
Puschel“Then a helmet alone is not enough.” Flauschi“Exactly. A life-support system also helps with breathing and keeps the temperature inside the suit suitable.”
The two stay beside the exhibit. Puschel“Our display suit shows the idea. We cannot use it to play at flying into space.”
Little Wusel quiz
Is a helmet alone enough for a safe spacewalk?
Choose one answer: a), b).
- a)No
- b)Yes
Show answer
Correct answer: a): No No. A suitable complete spacesuit and support system that helps with breathing and controls the temperature inside the suit are needed.
Why do people inside a supplied station not wear spacewalking suits all the time?
Show answer
The station supplies breathable air and suitable pressure inside.
Word help
- oxygen
- A gas in air that our bodies take in through breathing and need for their work.
- carbon dioxide
- A gas produced, among other ways, by working body cells and breathed out.
- atmosphere
- The gas layer around a world; on Earth it is the air above us.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
Outside there is no breathing air
Open space has no room-like atmosphere. A spacewalking suit supplies oxygen and maintains suitable pressure around the body.
A support system works too
It removes exhaled carbon dioxide and helps regulate temperature. The backpack carries important equipment. A helmet alone cannot do this.
Inside conditions differ
A supplied space station has air and pressure, so spacewalking suits are not always needed inside. Protection depends on surroundings, not just being in space.
The key points again
Discovery 1
People need special protection when they leave their space station. Space has no breathable air like Earth’s. A suitable spacesuit supplies oxygen, a gas our bodies need for breathing. On Earth, it is part of the air. The suit also provides pressure inside. Pressure here means that gas pushes against the body and suit. Space outside lacks this protective pressure.
Discovery 2
A spacesuit includes a life-support system. This helps with breathing and controls the temperature inside the suit. It also removes carbon dioxide, a gas we breathe out. A helmet alone is not enough.
Source: [1]
Discovery 3
Inside a properly supplied space station, people have breathable air and suitable pressure. They do not need to wear a spacewalking suit all the time. The protection required depends on their task.