Dating to the early Apollo era, this silent film footage shows various tests of prototype spacesuits, including mobility tests. The first suit shown at the :10 mark appears to be a Navy Mark IV suit, such as those used for the first Mercury astronauts. Here, the subject is suspended on a harness, and is shown trying to complete a task using tools. Note that the work area moves (2:28) on some sort of gimbal, to further simulate the difficulty of working in zero gravity. At (3:20) the subject is shown working on a rocket engine. At (3:45) another subject is shown in an orange Mk IV pressure suit. At (4:34) he demonstrates his ability to move easily in the suit when pressurized. At (4:49), another suit is shown, possibly a Mk V or variant of the Mk IV. At (5:25), tools are shown modified with cardboard sleeves, to simulate tools that might be used in space by astronauts wearing gloves. At (5:35) the test subject works on a simulated task involving the tools. At (6:26), another subject is shown in what appears to be an SPD-143 pressure suit, designed by International Latex, part of the AX1-L series. Again, a task is shown involving fine motor skills and tools. At (17:12), the SPD-143 is shown partially covered by a blue work coverall. The test subject is in a free motion gimbal to simulate weightlessness. A similar test is then shown with the orange variant.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com