EVA for a European Scenario

A new project has been established in the European Space Scenario namely the build up of a European EVA capability, based on both the request for European autonomy and the realization that EVA is a part of manned spaceflight. As a major element of EVA Systems, a medium pressure hybrid suit is proposed allowing a prebreathing-free transition from the Hermes cabin (700 hPa) into the suit. Development risk factors seems to be medium - with the exception of some critical items - so that a basic European EVA capability might be available for the first Hermes flight on 1996.