Credit: Andy Salmon. 18,771 bytes. 196 x 445 pixels.
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| Krechet Spacesuit - Krechet lunar space suit as displayed at NPO Zvezda. As in the Orlan suit still used on Mir, the cosmonaut entered the suit by swinging open a hatch at the rear. The backpack containing the life support system was housed in the backpack which made up the hatch door. As in Apollo, the gold-coated outer visor of the helment reflected ultra-violet radiation. The integrated Kretchet design meant that no external hoses were required as in the American Apollo suit. Credit: Andy Salmon. 18,771 bytes. 196 x 445 pixels. |
The Krechet spacesuit was designed by the Zvezda OKB for use on the lunar surface. It consisted of flexible limbs attached to a one-piece rigid body / helmet unit. The suit was entered through a hatch in the rear of the torso. The exterior of the hatch housed the life support equipment. Maximum operation time was ten hours. The Krechet space suit was designed for use on the lunar surface. As in the Orlan suit still used on Mir, the cosmonaut entered the suit by swinging open a hatch in the hard abdomen of the suit at the rear. The backpack containing the life support system was integrated with the hatch. As in Apollo, the gold-coated outer visor of the helment reflected ultra-violet radiation. The integrated Kretchet design meant that no external hoses were required as in the American Apollo suit.
 | Krechet Spacesuit - Front view of the Krechet lunar space suit Credit: Andy Salmon. 23,974 bytes. 206 x 478 pixels. |
 | LK Egress Tests - Another view of LK egress tests, showing the challenge of squeezing through the LK hatch in the Kretchet suit. 17,627 bytes. 191 x 269 pixels. |
 | LK Egress Tests - Another view of LK egress tests. This view makes clear the large size of the backpack of the Kretchet suit and the tight squeeze getting into and out of the LK lander. Credit: Filin. 36,740 bytes. 249 x 360 pixels. |
 | Early Egress Test - Closeup of the earliest version of the Kretchet suit and LK mock-up during egress tests. 17,017 bytes. 192 x 280 pixels. |
 | LK egress tests - Numerous tests were conducted to determine the best hatch and ladder configuration for the cosmonaut in the bulky Kretchet spacesuit. It was found the standard Soyuz hatch had to be replaced by a customized oval hatch. Credit: RKK Energia. 18,580 bytes. 310 x 240 pixels. |
 | LK Interior - Rare view of suited cosmonaut in the interior of the LK Interior during landing training. The cosmonaut had a viewing angle to the surface through the main window of 7 degrees from the vertical. A collimator indicated the predicted LK landing point. Credit: RKK Energia. 17,413 bytes. 312 x 240 pixels. |