In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, STS-38 Mission Specialist Robert C. Springer dons extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) upper torso with technicians' assistance in JSC's Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) Bldg 29.
Springer is preparing for an underwater extravehicular activity (EVA) simulation in the neutral buoyancy tank. Springer and his fellow astronauts would launch aboard Atlantis on November 15, 1990.
This photo demonstrates the two-part suit consisting of an upper and lower half that is worn during shuttle EVAs. The entire suit, including parts not pictured here, weighs 275 pounds, so it is necessary to have help while putting it on in Earth's gravity.
Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).
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