An Orlan space suit is a space suit in a series of semi-rigid space suit models designed and built by NPP Zvezda. They have been used for extra-vehicular activity (EVA), also called spacewalks, in the Soviet space program, the Russian space program, and by space programs of other countries, including NASA.
Attired in a Russian Orlan spacesuit, astronaut John Phillips participates in a session of extra-vehicular activity. Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev is seen in Phillip’s helmet visor.
The Orlan space suit has gone through several models. Designations include the Orlan-D, Orlan-DM, Orlan-DMA, and Orlan-M (models used in space), and Orlan-GN, Orlan-T, and Orlan-V (used in training).
The original Orlan suit, with a two and a half hour operation time, was designed for use on the Moon as part of the Soviet Lunar programme, although it was abandoned in favour of a model with a greater operating capacity. The Orlan-D expanded the operation time to three hours; the Orlan-M to nine hours.
The Orlan space suit is semi-rigid, that is, it has a solid torso and helmet but flexible arms.[6] It was designed with a rear hatch entry through the attached backpack that allows it to be donned relatively quickly (taking approximately five minutes). The first Orlan suits were attached to the spacecraft by an umbilical tether that supplied power and communications links. The Orlan-DM, and all models since, were designed to be self-sustaining.
History
The first spacewalk using an Orlan suit took place on December 20, 1977, on the Soviet space station Salyut 6, during the Soyuz 26 mission. Yuri Romanenko and Georgi Grechko tested the Orlan-D space suit. The Orlan-DM was used for the first time on August 2, 1985, by the cosmonauts Vladimir Dzhanibekov and Viktor Savinykh of Salyut 7.
The Orlan space suits were used for spacewalks on the Salyut stations, but for Mir they were replaced by the Orlan-DMA and Orlan-M suits: The Orlan-DMA was used for the first time in November, 1988, by the cosmonauts Musa Manarov of Mir space station. The Orlan-M continued to be used on Mir until the end of the station's operational life since 1997, and is now used on the International Space Station. Orlan space suits have been used by Russian, American, European and Chinese astronauts.
On February 3, 2006, a retired Orlan fitted with a radio transmitter, dubbed SuitSat-1, was launched into orbit from the International Space Station.
Training
Orlan suits are used in the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Center in Star City, Moscow: the Orlan-GN for water immersion training, the Orlan-T for airlock procedure training, and the Orlan-V for low gravity flight training.
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