Pressure Suit, Shuttle Launch-Entry

The Launch-Entry Suit (LES) was a partial-pressure suit worn by Space Shuttle crew members for protection against loss of cabin pressure during the critical ascent and descent phases of a mission. Introduced after the 1986 Challenger accident, it was used until the late 1990's, when the Advanced Crew Escape Suit (ACES) was phased in. The Launch-Entry Suit pressurized at 3.2 psi and exerted mechanical pressure on the crewmember's body by inflation of the internal bladder. The helmet visor and neck dam were pressure seals, but the gloves were not; they connected to the suit by a tube and needle valve. The Launch-Entry Suit included an integrated antigravity suit (g-suit) to prevent blood from pooling in the lower body during re-entry. This particular Launch-Entry Suit, transferred from NASA, was never worn in space.