FeiTian EVA Spacesuit

In order to support the extra-vehicular activities (EVA) during the ShenZhou 7 mission, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) has developed the “FeiTian” EVA spacesuit, based on the Russian Orlan spacesuit technology.

In 2004, China and Russian signed an agreement on the supply of Russian Orlan spacesuit designed and built by NPP Zvezda. Under the agreement, a total of nine Orlan spacesuits were delivered to China. These include three EVA mission suit, two low-pressure chamber training suits, and four water pool training suits.

The FeiTian spacesuit weights 120kg (compared to 100kg of Orlan) and costs 30 million RMB (~US$4.4 million) each. It is similar to the Orlan, with a solid torso and helmet but flexible arms. It was designed with a rear hatch entry through the attached backpack. The suit is attached to the spacecraft by an umbilical tether that supplies power and communications links. The spacesuit can support an EVA mission of up to 4 hours, and can be re-used upto five times, (though in reality the spacesuit was used only once and then left in the abandoned orbital module).

Both FeiTian and Orland were used during the first Chinese EVA mission on 27th September 2008, indicating that the two systems are largely compatible. The communication and power supply units on the two suits were both Chinese-made.

Last update: 28 September 2008