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Naval History and Heritage Command

National Museum of the U.S. Navy

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USN 710493: Naval Balloonists To Test New Cold Winter Space Suits

Navy Balloonists To Test New Cold Winter Space Suits. Commander M.D. Ross, USNR, right, U.S. Navy Balloon Pilot, discusses his newly designed cold weather space suit with Mr. Cooper, Flight Scientist of the High Altitude Observatory, University of Colorado. The two astronomers will use the new suits on their balloon and on a gondola by atmosphere flight from the Stratobowl Laboratory near Rapid City, South Dakota, planned for 1 August 1959. The Strato Lab flight is one of the continuing series planned by the Office of Naval Research. Primary insulating assembly on the new garment consists of two rubberized fabrics coated with a thin aluminum film a string-like plastic spacer holds the two fabrics apart. This arrangement provides good insulation and reduces heat transferred radiation. The cold weather uniform was developed by the clothing division of the U.S. Navy Supply Research and Development Facility. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

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Caption: USN 710493: Navy Balloonists To Test New Cold Winter Space Suits. Commander M.D. Ross, USNR, right, U.S. Navy Balloon Pilot, discusses his newly designed cold weather space suit with Mr. Cooper, Flight Scientist of the High Altitude Observatory, University of Colorado. The two astronomers will use the new suits on their balloon and on a gondola by atmosphere flight from the Stratobowl Laboratory near Rapid City, South Dakota, planned for 1 August 1959. The Strato Lab flight is one of the continuing series planned by the Office of Naval Research. Primary insulating assembly on the new garment consists of two rubberized fabrics coated with a thin aluminum film a string-like plastic spacer holds the two fabrics apart. This arrangement provides good insulation and reduces heat transferred radiation. The cold weather uniform was developed by the clothing division of the U.S. Navy Supply Research and Development Facility. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.