Lot 305
1988-1997, Orlan-DMA "Eagle" EVA Space Suit. A massive, Russian spacesuit designed solely for used during spacewalks. Over the years, the Orlan suit went through several evolutionary models including the Orlan-D, DM, DMA and M versions, among others. The Orlan-D model had an operational life of three hours, the DM model of nine hours, the DMA model a functional life of four years, etc.
The basic Orlan space suit is semi-rigid in that it has a hard torso and helmet, but flexible arms and legs. It was designed with a rear hatch entry through the integrated life support backpack that allows it to be donned relatively quickly (about <5 minutes). When in use, the first Orlan suits were attached to the spacecraft by an umbilical tether that supplied power and communications links. The Orlan-DM, and all subsequent models, were designed to be self-sustaining via the backpack, although the DMA model also had a connection port on the front for a 25 meter umbilical cord.
Orlan space suits were first used for spacewalks on the Salyut stations, but for MIR they were replaced by the Orlan-DMA and M models. The Orlan-DMA was first tested in 1988 and went operational on January 26, 1990 with Viktorenko and Serebrov (Soyuz TM-8). The Orlan-M suit was first used in 1997 on MIR and continued in use on the International Space Station. Orlan spacesuits have been used by Russian, American and European astronauts over the years. In 2006, a retired Orlan suit, fitted with a radio transmitter, dubbed SuitSat-1, was launched into orbit from the ISS.
This suit is complete with its life-support system in an integrated, "PPLS"- type backpack. The metal ball bearings and the fact that the suit arms and legs can be adjusted for size are notable features of this suit model. The oxygen supply system includes reserve oxygen storage and equipment for controlling and maintaining the oxygen pressure. The ventilation system and environmental gas composition-control system include scrubbing units for carbon dioxide and contaminate removal, as well as gas circulation-control equipment. Oxygen, water supplies, pumps and blowers are located inside the rear hatch. Although missing its external cover layer and the occasional part or two, this suit is virtually complete and will make a compelling display for a collector or a museum (Warning: actual use of this suit in space may be hazardous to your health).
According to the book Russian Space Suits (2003) by Abramov, et. al., only 16 examples of this suit were made for testing and training and only 12 suits were made for operational use. In 1995, Hamilton Standard, the prime contractor for the space suit used on the Shuttle, had the only example of this suit in the United States. It was leased from the Russian government for study purposes. There may well be additional examples now in museums, but as near as we can tell, this is the only example presently on the open market and available to collectors. This is an important opportunity to acquire a key part of space history.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 50,000.
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