French-Designed “EuroSuit” to be tested in Space, Offering Rapid Protection for Astronauts
PARIS – In a critically important advancement for astronaut safety, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced today that French astronaut Sophie Adenot will test the innovative “EuroSuit” aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025. Unlike suits designed for spacewalks, the EuroSuit is an intravehicular suit (IVA) engineered to protect astronauts during critical moments like launch, landing, and docking – specifically, in the event of accidental depressurization.
The suit, a collaboration between French brand Hexagone, the National Center for Space Studies (CNES), the Institute of Space Medicine and Physiology (MEDES), and startup Spartan Space, boasts a remarkably swift donning time of less then two minutes - a first in the space industry. This speed is crucial for ensuring astronaut safety in emergency situations.
“EuroSuit embodies our ability to push the limits of innovation, beyond our traditional areas of expression,” reads a statement from the project team. “This is a fantastic chance to explore new fields of application for our know-how in textile and product design, in an surroundings as demanding as space.”
Beyond speed, the EuroSuit features several notable advancements, including a “lattice” structure allowing for helmets that perfectly adapt to each astronaut’s body shape, gussets for enhanced mobility in confined spaces, airtight zippers with ergonomic pullers, and adjustable length to accommodate the increase in astronaut size experienced in microgravity.
On the ISS, Adenot will validate the suit’s ergonomics through a series of tests, including donning and doffing, handling objects, and interacting with onboard touchscreen tablets. CNES is coordinating the project, with MEDES responsible for monitoring physiological parameters and Spartan Space handling the suit’s life-support system architecture.
