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[[File:Thruster suit miniature at auction.jpg|thumb|The Kirk miniature at auction]]
 
[[File:Thruster suit miniature at auction.jpg|thumb|The Kirk miniature at auction]]
[[File:Truster suit miniature rigged by John Ramsay.jpg|thumb|left|Apogee's [[John Ramsay]] rigging the miniature for motion control shooting]]
+
[[File:Truster suit miniature rigged by John Ramsay.jpg|thumb|left|Apogee's [[John Ramsay]] rigging the Spock miniature for motion control shooting]]
 
Apart from having a full scale suit made for the actors to interact with, several scaled [[studio model|miniatures]] were deemed necessary for the long shots. These miniatures were also constructed at Apogee, and Dykstra has elaborated,
 
Apart from having a full scale suit made for the actors to interact with, several scaled [[studio model|miniatures]] were deemed necessary for the long shots. These miniatures were also constructed at Apogee, and Dykstra has elaborated,
 
<blockquote>"Another thing we did for the Epsilon 9 sequence was build a two-foot tall scale model spaceman that we had zipping around this way and that. [[Douglas Trumbull|Doug]] used it also in the drydock sequence and in the Spock spacewalk. [[David Sosalla]] did the sculpting, including the faces of Spock and the others who would be inside the suit; and [[John Ramsay]] worked out the mechanics for articulating the arms and legs. It was shot using motion control, and then we went back in with animation and added little blips of energy from the thrusters.(...)
 
<blockquote>"Another thing we did for the Epsilon 9 sequence was build a two-foot tall scale model spaceman that we had zipping around this way and that. [[Douglas Trumbull|Doug]] used it also in the drydock sequence and in the Spock spacewalk. [[David Sosalla]] did the sculpting, including the faces of Spock and the others who would be inside the suit; and [[John Ramsay]] worked out the mechanics for articulating the arms and legs. It was shot using motion control, and then we went back in with animation and added little blips of energy from the thrusters.(...)
   
 
"There were a couple nice shots that didn't get into the film, where the puppets are being chased by the destruction in a different way than we've got them appearing now. But we ran out of time, and weren't able to get them to go together right."</blockquote>
 
"There were a couple nice shots that didn't get into the film, where the puppets are being chased by the destruction in a different way than we've got them appearing now. But we ran out of time, and weren't able to get them to go together right."</blockquote>
For its appearances, Sosalla sculpted several heads for representation of whomever was supposed to be in the suit. The model itself was equipped with motors and electronics for articulation. (''[[Cinefex]]'', issue 2, pp. 58-59)
+
For its appearances, Sosalla sculpted several heads for representation of whomever was supposed to be in the suit. The models themselves were equipped with servo motors and electronics for articulation. (''[[Cinefex]]'', issue 2, pp. 58-59)
   
 
One of the miniatures, ''sans'' thruster pack, measuring 11&times;25 inches, ended up in the possession of [[Doug Drexler]], who auctioned it off as [http://archive.propworx.com/1008/11 Lot 11] in the [[Star Trek auctions#Propworx.2C_Inc.|Propworx]]'s ''[[Star Trek auctions#The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction|''The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction]]'' of 8 August 2010, estimated at US$8,000-$10,000, where it sold for US$8,000. According to the auction description it was the miniature that represented [[Admiral]] [[James T. Kirk]] when he retrieved [[Spock]] in the movie. Spock's thruster pack miniature, constructed out of fiberglass, metal and resin and measuring 15½ inches long, was shortly before offered up at [[Star Trek auctions#Profiles in History|Profiles in History]]'s 8-9 October 2009 ''Hollywood Auction 37'' as [http://bid.profilesinhistory.com/Spock-s-screen-used-miniature-thruster-unit-for-the-V-Ger-spacewalk-from-Star-Trek-TMP_i8632586 Lot 611]. Having been estimated at US$6,000&ndash;8,000.00, it went unsold.
 
One of the miniatures, ''sans'' thruster pack, measuring 11&times;25 inches, ended up in the possession of [[Doug Drexler]], who auctioned it off as [http://archive.propworx.com/1008/11 Lot 11] in the [[Star Trek auctions#Propworx.2C_Inc.|Propworx]]'s ''[[Star Trek auctions#The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction|''The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction]]'' of 8 August 2010, estimated at US$8,000-$10,000, where it sold for US$8,000. According to the auction description it was the miniature that represented [[Admiral]] [[James T. Kirk]] when he retrieved [[Spock]] in the movie. Spock's thruster pack miniature, constructed out of fiberglass, metal and resin and measuring 15½ inches long, was shortly before offered up at [[Star Trek auctions#Profiles in History|Profiles in History]]'s 8-9 October 2009 ''Hollywood Auction 37'' as [http://bid.profilesinhistory.com/Spock-s-screen-used-miniature-thruster-unit-for-the-V-Ger-spacewalk-from-Star-Trek-TMP_i8632586 Lot 611]. Having been estimated at US$6,000&ndash;8,000.00, it went unsold.

Revision as of 18:40, 27 January 2013

AT: "xx" An environmental suit, also known as an EV suit or pressure suit, is a special form of clothing designed to be used for protection or life support in inhospitable environments.

With the advent of space travel came the need to perform tasks outside the controlled atmosphere of the space vessels. For this purpose, the EV suit was developed. As planets and other stellar objects came within the reach of Human space explorers, the EV suit became a necessity for exploring environments with different atmospheric conditions than those on Earth.

History

During the launch of the Phoenix in 2063, the use of space suits seemed optional. Zefram Cochrane and his copilots did not wear any pressure or flight suits. He made history by making First Contact with an alien species after the Phoenix had ended its flight. (Star Trek: First Contact)

22nd century

File:NX-program-flight-suit.jpg

NX Program flight suit

In the 2140s, Vulcan EV suits were relatively large. Jonathan Archer once commented that the experience of wearing one was "like you're flying around inside your own little starship." (ENT: "Breaking the Ice")

In the middle of the 22nd century, Starfleet tested the new warp five engine in the NX Program. The test pilots of the NX-Alpha and NX-Beta starships used only unpressurized flight suits.

A new NX-class EV suit was introduced as standard issue on the Enterprise NX-01, the first ship of the new Template:ShipClass. These suits were copper colored with gray padding, and were comprised of several components.

Helmet

The design of the helmet allowed an almost normal field of view to the wearer. Though the vertical field of view was limited to eight degrees, the amount of room inside the helmet allowed the wearer to compensate by simply moving his or her head. The helmet had a clear visor integrated into the front that could not be opened separately. It featured two outside lights, one on either side, and two ambient lights inside to illuminate the wearer's face. When the helmet was sealed, the ambient lights would activate. A small earphone was attached to the helmet which the wearer could insert in his or her ear, making it possible to stay in contact with a ship or other space vehicle.

Located on the back of the helmet were the air hoses to the oxygen supply and an electrical connector for the light, communication, and propulsion units. The helmet connected to the life support and propulsion unit via a secondary connection ring and not to the EV suit directly. Padding within the helmet made sure the wearer could not touch the visor with his or her face.

EV suit

File:EV suit, 22nd century.jpg

22nd century EV suit

The EV suit was made as one full piece that closed at the front via a zip fastener and ended just below the elbow. The suit was self-sealing, meaning that if it were punctured or damaged in some way, sealant would be automatically applied to prevent the suit from decompressing. Although the suit was solid enough to protect its wearer from the rigors of space, a hypospray could still penetrate it in case of an emergency. Even with the heavy padding and protection, the suit could only protect its wearer against a neutronic wavefront for about twenty-two minutes.

See also

Life support and propulsion

The life support and propulsion unit (or "LSPU") consisted of a hard upper torso body-shell and a harness. This unit contained the essentials for survival in space: communication equipment, oxygen, propulsion unit, EV controls, and the power supply. It was padded to give the wearer some extra comfort. The LSPU also held an extra oxygen hose for refilling or sharing the oxygen supply. This extra hose allowed oxygen to be replenished from any device that held liquid oxygen, provided the physical connection would fit.

On the front of the unit, the following switches were present: communications, oxygen transfer, lighting and propulsion activation.

On the back were the incoming and outgoing oxygen connections. These hoses were fastened via a bayonet joint to prevent accidental release. Below one of the oxygen connections was an air supply indicator, divided into eight equal parts. This indicated the level of oxygen by means of color coding – green, yellow and red. In 2154, this air supply indicator was removed and replaced by an analog indicator on the right side of the LSPU. The back of the unit also contained an electrical cord, which transferred power and communications from the LSPU to the electrical connector at the back of the helmet.

The harness consisted of two leg bands that were connected to each other via a belt that was also used to hold small tools as necessary. The LSPU was secured to the harness at four attachment points to keep the unit in place.

Gloves

The gloves had five digits and were connected to the EV suit via a zip fastener just below the elbow. They were also self-sealing.

Boots

The boots were made out of the same material as the EV suit and could be magnetized. (ENT: "Minefield", "Babel One")

Starship use

On the Template:ShipClass starships, at least six EV suits were present. Senior officers and some security personnel had their own suits, while the rest of the suits were shared for general use. (ENT: "The Catwalk", "The Crossing")

23rd century

File:Psi2000laboratory.jpg

23rd century Special Environmental Protection Suit

During the 23rd century, the EV suit had considerably advanced from the primitive suits of the century before. There were different types of suits for different environments, but only one of them was standard issue for Federation starships and various Federation facilities like the Elba II asylum. These EV suit were significantly more flexible than their predecessors before and less bulky. Late in the 23rd century, the standard issue EV suit changed dramatically.

Helmet

The helmets of the standard-issue EV suits were taller and more spacious, yet still smaller than their 22nd century counterpart. The clear, fixed visor was much more vast and took up a majority of the helmet. It stretched from the front of the helmet, all the way to the back. A strange ambiguous light emanated from the bottom of the helmet and upward for the occupant to see. Late in the 23rd century, the helmets became more domed with the visor facing forward. These helmets were also spacious and allowed a lot of head room.

EV suit

The EV suit was a chromo-metallic and form-fitting one-piece suit with a white belt that fastened around the waist. A phaser could be either holstered or attached to the white belt, depending on the severity of the away mission. The helmet was detachable and the name tag of the occupant could be seen on it. The upper chest and neck area of the suit had a built-in communicator. Late in the 23rd century, the EV suit generally remained the same except the color varied.

Thruster suit

Thruster suit (detached)

Spock in a thruster suit after detaching the thruster

A thruster suit was an environmental suit, that could be equipped with a detachable thruster pack for use to travel short distances, and has been in use by among others Starfleet personnel at the Epsilon IX station as well as the drydock were the upgraded USS Enterprise was refurbished.

A short time later, Spock utilized such a suit with a thruster unit, when entering and exploring the V'Ger entity in the early 2270s. James T. Kirk subsequently used a thruster suit to retrieve Spock. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

Life support and propulsion

All life support and propulsion systems were interwoven together as part of the EV suit in order to function better in hostile environments. Later in the 23rd century, propulsion relied upon a jet propulsion pack that was placed on the back of the EV suit. The jet propulsion pack was detachable.

Gloves

The gloves had five digits and were connected to the EV suit. They were detachable and fastened just below the elbow.

Boots

Each EV suit came with magnetic boots made out of the same material as the EV suit.

Alternate reality

In the alternate reality created by Nero's incursion, there was at least one type of EV suit in use in the 2250s. The suit was available in all three division colors with a Starfleet insignia displayed prominently in the center of the chest piece and featured breathing equipment, including a helmet and oxygen, for use outside of Class M environments. It could also be equipped with a parachute for orbital skydiving missions. (Star Trek)

24th century

Hawk Picard and Worf in space

Hawk, Picard, and Worf on a spacewalk under the hull of the USS Enterprise-E

By the 24th century, the EV suit had changed into a white tight-fitting suit. Some pieces of the suit were gender-specific, allowing a more customized fit than some of the previous suits. Some suits could be folded for storage in a container inside a cargo bay. (TNG: "The Hunted")

Helmet

Garak, EV suit

Elim Garak wearing a 24th century EV suit

The helmet was smaller than its 22nd century counterpart but retained the clear and fixed visor. Inside, two ambient lights were present on each side of the helmet to illuminate the wearer's face. Audio equipment, like a microphone and speaker, were integrated.

EV suit

The EV suit was made as one part and was not self-sealing.

Life support

The life support unit consisted of a hard upper-torso body-shell, which was different for men and women. This unit contained the essentials for survival: communication equipment, oxygen, EV controls, power supply, and again an extra oxygen hose that made it possible to share oxygen. Alerts were available visibly via the color-coded EV controls and also by audio.

Under normal conditions, an EV suit would provide approximately twenty-four hours of oxygen. (VOY: "Day of Honor")

Gloves

The gloves had five digits and were connected to the EV suit via a self-sealing mechanism.

Boots

The boots were made out of the same material as the EV suit and could be magnetized. (Star Trek: First Contact; VOY: "Prey")

Back-up system

Tom Paris and Harry Kim were kept alive by the backup system of their environmental suits, by "keeping their vital functions going" while unconscious. The system kicked in due to an environmental seal in their suits had been compromised, depleting the oxygen. (VOY: "Demon")

Use

In 2366, the escaped Angosian prisoner Roga Danar hid a pressure suit he found inside a cargo bay container to cause USS Enterprise-D personnel to think he would use it to leave the starship through an airlock or torpedo tube. Security chief Worf, however, was not fooled and waited for Danar to reappear. Danar fought with Worf and escaped anyway, assisted by prior acts of sabotage on Danar's part. (TNG: "The Hunted")

Jean-Luc Picard, Worf, and Hawk each made use of EV suits while in the year 2063 to stop the Borg from using the USS Enterprise-E's deflector dish as a transmitter. (Star Trek: First Contact)

Appendices

Appearances

See also

Background information

Three repairmen in EV suits

Three repairmen in EV suits outside Deep Space 9

The EV suits seen in Star Trek: First Contact and several episodes of Star Trek: Voyager were created and provided by Christopher Gilman and his prop company Global Effects, Inc.; the helmet was provided from another company.

With the beginning of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's fourth season the opening sequence was changed and included a cargo management unit and three repairmen in EV suits. These elements were executed as CGI effects by ILM's John Knoll, who, while preparing for the pre-production of Star Trek: First Contact, pitched in with the work for the sequence out of courtesy, "I made about half a dozen little bits and pieces for the sequence, including a generic alien ship with blue glowy engines." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p.335)

Thruster suit design and model

Truster suit design

Johnson's and Wilzbach's take on the EV suit design

Truster suit as designed by Andrew Probert

Probert's preliminary take on the EV suit

An extravehicular activity was already envisioned in a final draft of the "In Thy Image" pilot episode of the, eventually abandoned, Star Trek: Phase II television project. While in the employ of Robert Abel & Associates, Production Illustrator Andrew Probert, submitted some preliminary design work for the environmental suit in October 1978. Unfortunately for him, Abel was pulled from the project, when the production was upgraded to a feature film project in early 1979. Succeeded by Douglas Trumbull's Future General Corporation, it was decided to finetune the spacesuit design at John Dykstra's Apogee, Inc., when that company was brought in to ease the workload, since a first appearance of the suit was envisioned in a sequence Apogee was responsible for, to wit, the Epsilon IX station footage.

Truster suit truster unit design

Johnson's thruster pack designs

Thruster suit model sculpted by Apogee's David Sosalla

Sosalla working on the heads for the model

At Apogee, Production Illustrator Jack Johnson took over the task of designing the suit as well as that of the thruster pack that could be optionally attached to it. Details on the suit were designed by Animation and Graphics Artist Greg Wilzbach. It has been their envisioned versions that has been predominantly featured in The Motion Picture. Johnson was also the one who designed the thruster pack unit. (The Art of Star Trek, pp. 180-181)

Andrew Probert has sold off his preliminary designs as Lot 76 in the Propworx, Inc.'s STAR TREK auction III of 24 March 2012 for US$150, having had an estimate of US$100–$200. [1]

Thruster suit miniature at auction

The Kirk miniature at auction

Truster suit miniature rigged by John Ramsay

Apogee's John Ramsay rigging the Spock miniature for motion control shooting

Apart from having a full scale suit made for the actors to interact with, several scaled miniatures were deemed necessary for the long shots. These miniatures were also constructed at Apogee, and Dykstra has elaborated,

"Another thing we did for the Epsilon 9 sequence was build a two-foot tall scale model spaceman that we had zipping around this way and that. Doug used it also in the drydock sequence and in the Spock spacewalk. David Sosalla did the sculpting, including the faces of Spock and the others who would be inside the suit; and John Ramsay worked out the mechanics for articulating the arms and legs. It was shot using motion control, and then we went back in with animation and added little blips of energy from the thrusters.(...) "There were a couple nice shots that didn't get into the film, where the puppets are being chased by the destruction in a different way than we've got them appearing now. But we ran out of time, and weren't able to get them to go together right."

For its appearances, Sosalla sculpted several heads for representation of whomever was supposed to be in the suit. The models themselves were equipped with servo motors and electronics for articulation. (Cinefex, issue 2, pp. 58-59)

One of the miniatures, sans thruster pack, measuring 11×25 inches, ended up in the possession of Doug Drexler, who auctioned it off as Lot 11 in the Propworx's The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction of 8 August 2010, estimated at US$8,000-$10,000, where it sold for US$8,000. According to the auction description it was the miniature that represented Admiral James T. Kirk when he retrieved Spock in the movie. Spock's thruster pack miniature, constructed out of fiberglass, metal and resin and measuring 15½ inches long, was shortly before offered up at Profiles in History's 8-9 October 2009 Hollywood Auction 37 as Lot 611. Having been estimated at US$6,000–8,000.00, it went unsold.

External links