Feitian space suit
A Feitian space suit () is a extravehicular space suit developed and used by China Manned Space Program. It provides life support, safety and communications functions to astronauts during extravehicular activity (EVA). The earliest Feitian space suit was first introduced in Shenzhou-7 mission, where Taikonaut Zhai Zhigang wore it during China's first-ever EVA on 27 September 2008. Its improved version has been in use since the beginning of Tiangong Space Station construction in 2021. As of July 2023, 13 Chinese astronauts have completed 13 EVAs wearing Feitian space suits. Name

The name fēi tiān literally and separately means "flying" and "sky" in Mandarin. It is a reference to the flying gods and goddesses feitian, sometimes translated as flying apsara, in Chinese, and most famously depicted in Chinese art in the grottoes of Dunhuang. Images of the feitian from Dunhuang appear on the arm badge of the space suit. History

When China Manned Space Program was approved in 1992, one of its goals in second phase was to develop extravehicular activity capability. To achieve the goal in early 2000s, China turned to Russia, its longtime partner in space program, for help. In April 2004, the two countries signed an agreement to allow the import of the Orlan-M space suit to China. Around the same time, China has also began the development of its own EVA space suit. None of the key components of the space suit could be found in existing products. Almost all parts had to be manufactured for the first time. The first product was assembled in June 2006 and evetually certified in June 2008. On 24 September 2008, China Manned Space Agency announced that China's first extravehicular activity will be conducted by two astronauts, who wear the Chinese-made Feitian space suit and Russian-made Orlan space suit respectively. On 27 September 2008, Shenzhou-7 astronaut Zhai Zhigang completed China's first extravehicular activity wearing a Feitian space suit. The EVA lasted for about 20 minutes. Nearly thirteen years after Shenzhou-7 mission, on 4 July 2021, astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo of Shenzhou-12 crew conducted China's second EVA on the newly launched Tianhe core module wearing new-generation Feitian space suit. Specifications

First generation of Feitian space suit
 Mass: 
 Maximum duration in space: 4 hours
 Minimum number of usage: 5
 Cost: $4.4 million

Second generation of Feitian space suit
 Mass: 
 Maximum duration in space: 8 hours
 Minimum number of usage: 15

Gallery

First generation of Feitian space suit

Second generation of Feitian space suit

References

External links

Comparison of Feitian and Haiying suits

Spacesuits
Extravehicular activity