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Reporting from: https://exhibits.library.cornell.edu/fashion-in-transit/feature/orbiting

Orbiting

Orbiting refers to a body's movement within a specific gravity that takes the form of an elliptical or ring-like shape, a movement, and transit we associated with space travel or working within outer space. Astronauts and scientists working in space require extraordinary shells within which they can work both outsides and within the spacecraft in zero gravity. The journey to space is complicated, but with the fashioning of a specialized suit, a human can survive within the stars' oxygen-free realm.


Spaceman in Soho, 2015.
Spaceman in Soho, 2015.

Spaceman in Soho

Date: 2015

Medium: Photograph

Image Courtesy of Phil Penman

Description: Phil Penman is an artist interested in photographing unstaged scenes of New York City life while simultaneously commenting on unseen bridges; for example, this image links the stars and outer space to bicycling, simply by the presence of a space suit wearer standing bizarrely in a crosswalk, amidst other pedestrians. The other notable element of this image is how it contains many vehicles and costumed bodies in sneakers, jackets, and strollers engaged as mobile bodies.

Pressure Suit, Apollo, A1-C, Borman, Training, 1973.
Pressure Suit, Apollo, A1-C, Borman, Training, 1973.

Pressure Suit, Apollo, A1-C, Borman, Training

Date: 1973

Medium: HT-1 Nomex, anodized aluminum, polyester, velcro, nylon

Image Courtesy of The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Description: This A1-C suit astronaut suit was made by The David Clark Company in 1973, and Frank Astronaut Borman wore it in his training sessions but not as a final suit for the Apollo mission. This suit weighed approximately 25 lbs, and the wearer of this A1-C suit had to wear a cotton constant wear garment underneath and five of its major assemblies, including the main suit, helmet, boots, gloves, and neck seal. The design offered an approximately comfort and easy body movement in the space.