Why do the space suits have to be so bulky and hard to work in? Why not develop a slimmer, more ergonomic suit?
The primary requirement that any spacesuit must meet is to provide a pressurized volume for its crewmember. Lots of spacesuit improvements have been investigated and implemented over the years, but many of the more obvious shortcomings are probably here to stay. While the existing design is indeed bulky, it is a reliable, proven design that accommodates a wide range of sizes of EVA crew. There have been lots of new designs investigated, but all of them are equally bulky. It is simply not possible to decrease the bulk and provide improved flexibility without REALLY increasing the cost of each suit. Improvements such as better gloves, thermal comfort enhancements, and better helmet lights continue to be implemented as they are developed and made available.
