Hazards protection for space suits and spacecraft

A flexible multi-layered covering article 10 for protection against the hazards of exposure to the environment of outer space. The covering 10 includes an outer layer section 12 comprising an outermost lamina 14 of woven expanded tetrafluoroethylene yarns (Gore-Tex) for protecting against abrasion and tearing, an underlying weave 16 of meta-aramid yarns (Nomex) and para-aramid yarns (Kevlar) for particle impart protection, an electrostatic charge dissipation and control system 18 incorporated therein, and a chemical contaminants control barrier applied as a coating 19. A middle section includes a succession of thermal insulating layers 21 of polymeric thermoplastic or thermoforming material, each of which is coated with a metal deposit of high infra-red emissivity and low solar radiation absorption characteristics and separated from adjacent insulating layers 21 by a low thermal conductance material 26. The covering 10 further includes a radiation attenuating layer 28 of a tungsten-loaded polymeric elastomer binder for protecting against "bremsstrahlung" radiation and an inner layer 32 of "rip-stop" polyester material for abrasion protection. A chloroprene coating may be supplied the polyester-material for added micrometeroid protection. Securing means 36 of low heat conductance material secures the multi-layers together as a laminar composite.