When all suited, the Apollo 11 spacesuit comprised of approximately 26 layers and weighed 189lbs/86kgs on earth, but only 31.4lbs/14.3kgs on the surface of the moon. The NASA designation for the Apollo spacesuit was A7L A for Apollo, 7 for 7th model, L for ILC Industries, the prime contractor. The suit was completely redesigned after Apollo 14 to allow the astronauts to bend more easily at the waist and knees, and to sit in the newly developed lunar rover. The new suit was given the model number A7LB.
Left: The many components of Neil Armstrong’s A7L moon suit. Below and to the left of the central suit is the liquid cooling garment (with single blue connector), worn beneath the suit on the moon to keep the astronaut at a constant temperature by circulating water through a series of interwoven tubes. Below and to the right are his lunar overshoes, or moon boots (one shown with uppers turned out to reveal Armstrong’s nametag). These were worn over the shoes of the suit shown in the centre of the picture. The PGA number of 076 shown is incorrect and actually refers to the serial number of the suit liner. Armstrong’s flown PGA was s/n 056 whilst his ITMG was s/n 063. (NASA) Right: The A7LB pressure suit was an evolution of the earlier A7L suit. The main differences were a wider seat, the location of the access zipper and the layout of the connectors on the front of the suit. The suit is shown here without the white thermal covering garment (ITMG) and with IVA gloves. Standing at the back, left to right; John Leshko, NASA Quality Inspector, John McMullen, ILC Systems Engineer and Steve Ruben, ILC Design Engineer. (Bill Ayrey, ILC Dover, LP)
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