MOL Space Suit

American space suit. Cancelled 1969. Space suit designed to support launch/re-entry and Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) aboard the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory. Developed from 1965-1969, when MOL was cancelled.

In the 1960s, the U.S. Air Force was tasked with developing a space station. This was named the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). The first type of MOL suit was designed to support launch/re-entry and early emergency Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA). David Clark, International Latex, AiReseach and Hamilton Standard developed prototypes prior to the 1967 production contract competition. Hamilton Standard won the manufacturing order and fabricated at least 22 MOL suits before the program was cancelled in 1969. The flight suits were to have helmets with outer sun visors and cover-garments featuring aluminized Mylar insulation with white outer fabric made of fiberglass impregnated with Teflon.