NASA's Z-1 Spacesuit: Buzz Lightyear's Duds (Photos)

Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype

NASA

The Z-1 spacesuit will potentially be used to explore different planets.

Buzz Lightyear’s Duds

NASA

The Z-1 is NASA’s next generation spacesuit, a prototype of which is pictured at the Johnson Space Center.

NASA’s Next Generation Spacesuit

NASA

Planned for use by astronauts as they travel to new deep-space locations, the next generation suit will incorporate a number of technology advances to shorten preparation time, improve safety and boost astronaut capabilities during spacewalks and surface activities.

Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype Flexibility Test

NASA

This new spacesuit prototype from NASA might reinvent the ways astronauts experience space.

Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype During Testing

NASA

NASA aimed to design the Z-1 around the most challenging aspects of any mission astronauts might be faced with.

Z-1 Spacesuit Prototype Standing

NASA

The suit designed not only to help astronauts comfortably maneuver during spacewalks in microgravity, but also to deftly move about when walking on the surface of a planet or other smaller heavenly body, like an asteroid.

Introducing NASA'S Future Spacesuit, the Z-1 (Infographic)

Karl Tate, SPACE.com contributor

Being developed for missions in 2015 and beyond, the Z-1 improves mobility for walks on the moon and Mars.

Spacesuit Evolution of Cosmic Clothes (Infographic)

Karl Tate, SPACE.com

From International Orange to space-age silver, Astronauts' spacesuits have a varied and colorful history. The United States has used at least eight distinct spacesuit models throughout its roughly 50 years of manned spaceflight. Meanwhile, Russia and China have their own versions of space duds.

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Space.com Staff
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Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.