Throughout the history of space travel, astronauts have used different models, shapes, and colors of space suits, but the fact that they are white obeys a functional, rather than an aesthetic issue. Although it may not seem like it, the white color of the suits has saved countless astronauts’ lives; whether they are American, Russian, or Chinese, they all wear white suits regardless of the country.
White spacesuits were not always worn. NASA’s first human space flight, known as “Project Mercury,” included silver suits, but none of these astronauts actually explored the vacuum of space. And that’s the key, because the special suits have to be highly reflective, and white is ideal for that.
The Astronauts’ White Suit Is Used on the Outside
The Extravehicular Mobility Unit is an additional second spacecraft fully equipped to preserve life since it has everything necessary to keep astronauts safe. For this reason, part of the preparation before a space voyage is dedicated to fine-tuning the suit, seeking to optimize it and make it easier for the astronaut to adapt to the conditions in which he will find himself in space.
Beyond helping to identify the cosmonaut in space, the suit is white for safety reasons. This color acts as a reflector of solar radiation. Thus, it ensures that this radiation does not reach the wearer’s skin, as it would carry a health risk. If the suit were dark in color, it would absorb external radiation, putting the astronaut’s life at risk.
That is to say, once the liftoff is successfully completed, the astronauts change for a white one in case they reach their destination for two reasons: first, the suits used in the liftoff are different in color because they are equipped with dozens of internal airbags to protect the astronaut in case of an accident during the liftoff.
They also have a geolocation system to locate the astronaut if necessary. The second reason is that they are white because they need to go outside, and it is safer for the skin not to absorb space radiation.
Difference in Radiation
Here on Earth, our atmosphere shields us from 77 percent of the sun’s radiation. But astronauts in space don’t have that natural shield, making them vulnerable to scorching temperatures, severe sunburn, and even cell damage that could cause cancer. It’s like when you paint a wall white, it keeps the room cooler than a dark color because the lighter paint absorbs 33 percent less heat.
This story was written in Spanish by Perla Vallejo in Ecoosfera
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