Space History Photo: Robert Springer Dons EMU for Training

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Astronaut Robert C. Springer prepares in February of 1990 for STS-38 by training underwater for EVAs. (Image credit: NASA.)

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.

NASA
NASA
U.S. Space Agency

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the U.S. government agency in charge of the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Founded in 1958, NASA is a civilian space agency aimed at exploring the universe with space telescopes,  satellites, robotic spacecraft, astronauts and more. The space agency has 10 major centers based across the U.S. and launches robotic and crewed missions from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida. Its astronaut corps is based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. To follow NASA's latest mission, follow the space agency on Twitter or any other social channel, visit: nasa.gov.