Z series space suits

The Z-1 is the first suit to be successfully integrated into a suitport dock mechanism eliminating the need for an air lock, and reducing the consumable demands on long term missions.

[1] Z-1 is called a "soft" suit because when unpressurized its primary structures are pliable fabrics, although it does have several hard mobility elements.

"[7] Both ILC Dover and David Clark competed for the $4.4 million contract to design, manufacture and test the Z-2 prototype space suit.

[8] The Z-2 will be designed to interface with NASA's advanced portable life support system, currently under development at the Johnson Space Center.

[9] The Z-2 prototype suit was expected to be delivered to NASA by November 2014 with a technology readiness level of 7[11][12][13] but was delayed until spring 2015.

[15] The RCA CO2 removal capability is regenerated during EVA by exposure to vacuum, making it superior to previous systems.

[15] The Metox canister can be reused post-EVA but to do so takes fourteen hours and requires auxiliary equipment, crew time and significant electricity.