Sokol-K ("Falcon") crew rescue suit was developed for use aboard Soyuz after Soyuz-11 tragedy, in which all three unsuited cosmonauts died in a decompression accident. It was first tested during the Soyuz-12 mission in September, 1973. From that point onward, the Sokol-K and its subsequent generations were used on all Soyuz flights for the launch, docking, and descent phases. Sokol-K continued in use until succeeded by the improved Sokol KV-2 model flown in the Soyuz T-2 spacecraft on 5 June, 1980. Each suit was connected to an on-board life support system in the capsule which supplied oxygen, electrical power, suit ventilation and water for the cooling garment worn underneath. The suit was designed to not impede the astronaut during flight in a pressurized cabin and to support the astronaut's life in case of cabin depressurization. The soft suit consisted of two layer enclosures, an outer restraint layer of white nylon canvas with royal blue trim, and an internal pressure bladder of rubber and rubberized material. The integral helmet had a soft hood and a hinged plastic visor. The Sokol-K had lacing on the front opening of the suit (replaced by two zippers in the later model); a smaller helmet and visor than the later suits; and the pressure regulator was separate and located at the side on the suit. In case of cockpit depressurization, pure oxygen was supplied to the suit. The pressure regulator provided two suit pressure modes - 400 hPa (main mode) and 270 hPa (back-up).
The suit was developed in 1970-1973 by NPP "Zvezda" (what means "star" in English). It was designed to support a suited astronaut for up to 30 hours in a pressurized cabin and two hours in an unpressurized one. Ventilating air was provided at 150 l/minute and oxygen at 20 l/minute in pressurized operation.
Each suit was tailor-made to fit individual crew members. In the Soyuz spacecraft they reclined in Kazbek seats which had custom-fitted molded liners.
The wearer climbed into the suit via the zippered front opening; the suit was then sealed by gathering folds of the space suit cloth and wrapping rubber bands around them. The suit was one-piece, including the helmet, but excluding the gloves which were put on separately.
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