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The projections of increased Extravehicular Activity (EVA) operations for the Space Station Freedom (SSF) resulted in the development of advanced space suit technologies to increase EVA efficiency. To eliminate the overhead of denitrogenation, candidate higher-operating pressure suit technologies were developed. The AX-5 all metallic, multi-bearing technologies were developed at the Ames Research Center, and the Mk. III fabric and metallic technologies were developed at the Johnson Space Center. Following initial technology development, extensive tests and analyses were performed to evaluate all aspects of candidate technology performance. The current Space Shuttle space suit technologies were used as a baseline for evaluating those of the AX-5 and Mk. III. Tests included manned evaluations in the Weightless Environment Training Facility and KC-135 zero-gravity aircraft.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) based from the Space Station Freedom presents unique conditions in which a space suit must operate. To accommodate the predicted demands, new technology is required in many aspects of the suit design. The requirements associated with Space Station EVA are addressed and an overview of various technology concepts is given. Two candidate space suits are presented and the methods used to evaluate their performance characteristics are described.