Barry wrote: By the way, how do you like the canvas and duck tape space suits the MS "researchers" wear? Pretty realistic eh? I suggest you write them a big check so they can go out and make more of them. Of course if you want, I could save you some cash -- I could sell you (cheap) some duct tape, canvas material, and a garbage can lid (MS helmet ring) for about $15.00. Come get them while their hot!

Chris writes: I would be very interested in seeing you make an analog space suit that cost no more than $15 USD.

There is at least $400 USD worth of hardware in the Mars Society analog suits... PLSS batteries cost more than $15 not including the blowers, fuses, switches, wire, connectors and the charging plug! Anyway the Grand Umbra lid (the trash can lid) is only part of the backplane of the helmet and they cost at least $10 USD. Edmunds Optical sells the face plate (frontplane) for over $60 USD and still that combines with the Umbra lid to only make the upper body of the helmet there is still the neckring and collar as well as several latches and fasteners...

The canvas suits were custom patterns, designed and made by a professional seamstress. This was not cheap!

BTW, the suits are not made of duct tape and canvas. People have sometimes attached watches or note books with duct tape...this strangely doesn't make something become duct tape...the suits are canvas.

"Realism" as you define it wasn't the goal in designing the suits as they are.

BTW the Aussies and Canadians had other analog suits of a completely different design at MDRS this season...note how old Barry here hasn't talked about them.

You see they are analog MCP suits designed by people who are professional space suit designers...Strangle they don't look much different compared to the Dewey Anderson analog suits, but they are very different. You wear a full body spandex suit under the blue coveralls...they are a much higher fidelity suit! Not that Barry or EP would get it...

<img src=http://www.marssociety.org/mdrs/fs02/images/t_c14d07eva04.jpg">;