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1. NASA’s Mercury spacesuits

NASA’s first astronaut class, the Mercury 7, had the best spacesuits. This photo was taken on April 9, 1959.
NASA’s first astronaut class, the Mercury 7, had the best spacesuits. This photo was taken on April 9, 1959. Photo: NASA

A no-brainer choice—this is exactly what a spacesuit is supposed to look like. The Mark IV suits were actually borrowed from U.S. Navy pilots, who wore the outfits during high-altitude flights. NASA made some adjustments to the pressure suit, such as adding the aluminum-coated nylon outer shell for improved thermal control, special gloves to allow for finer finger control, and new straps and zippers to ensure a tighter fit. The suit was worn throughout the Mercury era and was later replaced by the Gemini suit in the mid-1960s. To infinity and beyond!