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Early NASA spacesuits were given model numbers, as described in slide 3 of this NASA Powerpoint. The model numbers were assigned in the format P-#M, where

  • the first letter (P) describes the program (G = Gemini, A = Apollo).
  • an optional second letter X describes an experimental model.
  • the number (#) after the dash describes the iteration of the development sequence, starting with 1.
  • the final letter (M) describes the manufacturer.

Thus some notable suits were

  • the Mercury suits were just called "Mark IV" and were numbered with the mission (e.g. Shepard was MR-3).
  • the Gemini suits, made by the David Clark Company, were G-3C and G-4C.
  • the Apollo suits, made by International Latex Corp., were A-7L.

The Extravehicular Mobility Unit has been used for spacewalks from the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Does the EMU have model numbers? How are the model numbers formatted, and what are some notable models?

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  • $\begingroup$ I went to all of those Spacesuit Knowledge Capture briefings that I possibly get to, they were awesome. $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Sep 24, 2020 at 15:19

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The EMU suits with a Primary life support system (PLSS) have serial numbers, see table 3 at page 20 of this NASA spacesuit audit

The 18 EMUs produced have serial numbers running from 3001 to 3018, with EMU 3003, 3006, 3008 and 3010 currently onboard the ISS (as of 2017).

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  • $\begingroup$ "The EMU suits with a Primary life support system (PLSS)" What other kind of EMU suits are there? $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 17:43
  • $\begingroup$ @OrganicMarble I have no idea, but since that was specifically noted, I kept it. Perhaps the PLSS itself is what gets serial numbers? $\endgroup$
    – SE - stop firing the good guys
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 17:45
  • $\begingroup$ Could be. Most of the suit parts are mix-n-match. $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 19:05
  • $\begingroup$ Not sure serial # = model # either. $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Oct 6, 2020 at 1:31

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