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Two Slightly Used Space Suits For Sale

cylonlover writes "More space history will go on sale in New York on May 5 when Bonhams will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Alan Shepard's historic mission in Freedom 7 with a Space Sale. Some early highlights of the sale include a Sokol K spacesuit worn by cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the historic 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Project (the symbolic end to the Space Race) and a Sokol KV-2 spacesuit worn by Gennadi Strekalov during a 1990 mission to the Mir space station."

60 comments

  1. I'll take one by paiute · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Kip Russell said he would fix it up for me.

    --
    If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
    1. Re:I'll take one by jbernardo · · Score: 1

      Isn't he busy with Peewee Reisfeld?

    2. Re:I'll take one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Stay where you are!

      Wormface

    3. Re:I'll take one by sconeu · · Score: 1

      I heard he was busy over on Vega.

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
    4. Re:I'll take one by guyminuslife · · Score: 1

      Better scrub it up with some Skyway soap.

      I have good memories of that book. One night, as a kid, I mysteriously found it on my pillow. I had never even heard of Heinlein before. But I started reading it that night, must have been captivated into the wee hours of the morning. Would Kip make it off Pluto? Was the Mother Thing actually kind of creepy? What the hell was up with Madame Pompadour?

      Sometime later, my dad came up to me, grinning, and asked me how I liked it.

      --
      I don't believe in time. It's a grand conspiracy designed to sell watches.
    5. Re:I'll take one by Kittenman · · Score: 1

      Better scrub it up with some Skyway soap.

      Highway or byway, there's no soap like Skyway!

      Can't believe he didn't win the competition with that slogan.

      --
      "The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes" - Winston Churchill
  2. Re:Apollo 1 flight suits also by scharkalvin · · Score: 0

    That's about as funny as a submarine with screen doors.
    Would you believe a cigarette machine in a cancer ward?

  3. Re:Apollo 1 flight suits also by An+ominous+Cow+art · · Score: 0

    The Russians certainly believe in over-engineering their space suits.

  4. Pretty sweet deal! by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 1

    They should fetch more than the "slightly peed into" suit Doctor Venture is trying to sell at his super science yard sale.

    1. Re:Pretty sweet deal! by Ellis+D.+Tripp · · Score: 4, Informative

      But a pissed-in suit would be perfectly appropriate for the 50th anniversary of Shepard's flight.

      While lying on his back for hours waiting for his 15-minute flight, he had to relieve himself into his suit. After that incident, NASA started putting urine collection bags into the spacesuits.

      --
      Remember "News for Nerds, Stuff that Matters"? Help make it a reality again! http://soylentnews.org
  5. I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Typical American shit. We only celebrate NASA's accomplishments (or joint NASA/Russian missions). The average American knows jackshit about all the Soviet "firsts" and accomplishments (basically everything but the first man on the moon). It's an insult to the engineering geniuses that made the space race possible (most of whom couldn't give a shit less about the politics). More Americans can probably name the entire Steelers offensive line than will ever even hear the name Sergey Korolyov.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by timepilot · · Score: 2

      Sad. Not only that, but it's likely that more Americans can name the Steelers offensive line than will ever even hear the name Wernher Von Braun. You see, our stupidity knows no borders.

    2. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Abstrackt · · Score: 1

      The space race was all about politics when the US and USSR were barely on speaking terms. There's no denying what the engineers behind these projects accomplished but it was the arms race that made the space race (and those engineers' achievements) possible.

      --
      They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
    3. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Threni · · Score: 1

      The first dog to be killed in obit? Meh. Kids are putting stuff almost into orbit now. Landing a man on the moon, and bringing him back in one piece? That's a little harder. I mean, there must be an order or 5 of magnitude difference between the two otherwise the Russians would have ticked that one off the list too, right?

    4. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by SilkBD · · Score: 1

      Don't mistaken apathy for ignorance... the average American just doesn't give a sh|t about Soviet "firsts"

      --
      00101010
    5. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So, you are saying that we should celebrate the guy who developed the ICBM's that were designed to destroy us?

    6. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Kids are putting stuff almost into orbit now.

      weatherbaloon + digital camera + GPS equiped phone flying below 20 miles != orbit, hell, it doesnt even qualify as space by any reasonable definition

       

      Landing a man on the moon, and bringing him back in one piece? That's a little harder. I mean, there must be an order or 5 of magnitude difference between the two otherwise the Russians would have ticked that one off the list too, right?

      The russians WERE working on that quite hard, but political infighting between seperate teams proposing different heavy lift rockets, combined with them picking a slightly problematic design for the actual launcher (the N1 had 30 engines just for its first stage), which produced four unsuccesfull test launches, before the US actually planted their flag on the moon, pretty much killed the russians in the race to put a man on the moon.

      Basically, they gambled on the wrong design and lost

    7. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Takichi · · Score: 1

      Is it really any different anywhere else? If you polled any community in any country I'm guessing a majority would know more about their sports teams compared to the history of rockets and space exploration. It really is a case of "our stupidity knows no borders."

    8. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, maybe. But what about humankind firsts?

    9. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by MrLizard · · Score: 1

      "The idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone, every century but this, and every country but his own. He never shall be missed! No he never shall be missed."

      (Yeah, I'm altering the quote slightly to complete the verse. Ask me if I care.)

      Or, in other words, stop trying to impress people by being oh-so-cool and holier-than-thou. I'm surprised no one's bothered posting something like "Why are we celebrating space travel when it wasted BILLIONS of DOLLARS when there were people STARVING and there was SLAUGHTER in Vietnam and how can ANYONE be proud of ANYTHING America does when we're still KILLING BABY DUCKS with our IMPERALIST SPY DRONES?!?!?!?!?!" (For best effect, you must read this while choking back tears because you just can't stand the inhumanity of it all and your rage at how no one CARES. At least not as much as you.)

      Sure it'll be posted soon, however.

      On, in other other words.... dude, chill. But if you'd rather celebrate the engineers responsible for the space race, we can all sing the praises of Wernher Von Braun. Has he learned Chinese yet?

    10. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by elrous0 · · Score: 2

      As opposed to Wernher Von Braun and his spotless history, you mean?

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    11. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I for one, being a researcher that doesn't care about politics outside my own limited bubble required to acquire resources with which to research - could not name either, though I thank you for sharing.

    12. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You Americans never seemed to have a problem with the guy who designed the missiles that were actually used on us.

      --A Londoner

    13. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "(Yeah, I'm altering the quote slightly to complete the verse. Ask me if I care.)"

      Do you care?

    14. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by paiute · · Score: 1

      You Americans never seemed to have a problem with the guy who designed the missiles that were actually used on us.

      --A Londoner

      Widows and orphans who owe their large pensions, etc.

      --
      If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
    15. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Typical Russian shit. We only celebrate Soviet accomplishments (or joint Soviet/NASA missions). The average Russian knows jackshit about all the American "firsts" and accomplishments (first man on the moon, first private spaceflight, Voyager). It's an insult to the engineering geniuses that made the space race possible (most of whom couldn't give a shit less about the politics). More Russians can probably name the entire FC Spartak Moscow lineup than will ever even hear the name Wernher von Braun [wikipedia.org].

    16. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Museum of Flight in Seattle may surprise you. It's not perfect for either US or Russian space flight, but they have limited space and it's a lot more than you're trying to make out in your post.

      The other thing about you post I'm trying to wrap my head around is why wouldn't the US celebrate the first American in space? I can only assume that the Russians celebrate Yuri Gagarin, but not the Americans being the first to land on the moon?

    17. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by DerekLyons · · Score: 1

      Typical American shit. We only celebrate NASA's accomplishments (or joint NASA/Russian missions).

      Go to Russia, and you'll find pretty much the same thing. Nationalism isn't limited to America, not by a long shot. Hell, go to Canada and ask 'em about the Shuttle - but be seated and have a beverage at hand because odds are you're going to be treated to 15 minute spiel about the Shuttle and Station robotic arms.
       

      The average American knows jackshit about all the Soviet "firsts" and accomplishments (basically everything but the first man on the moon).

      Well, other than exaggerating about the Soviet firsts and accomplishments... So what? They didn't accomplish much other than firsts. Great propaganda (which you've bought into hook, line, and sinker), but no followup and not really useful for exploration or exploitation. Their most significant 'accomplishment' in that respect, the stations they launched from the 70's through the 90's is forever marred by their lack of documentation - meaning there can be few or nor lessons learned.

    18. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by atrain728 · · Score: 1

      Which Steelers offensive line? The Steelers only had one guy who started all 19 games for them this year, and he wasn't a member of the team last year. I think you're vastly over-estimating how many people could keep track of their starting 5 for any particular week this year.

    19. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What is a "Steeler"?

        - signed
            Rocket Scientist

    20. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by SirWinston · · Score: 1

      The russians WERE working on that quite hard, but political infighting between seperate teams proposing different heavy lift rockets, combined with them picking a slightly problematic design for the actual launcher (the N1 had 30 engines just for its first stage), which produced....

      Why does this sound so familiar and timely? Oh yeah, because the USA has been killing its space program in a similar way for years now.

      Fuck, just get a few billion in corporate advertising partnerships and use it to get us to Mars orbit already, where we can at least manipulate some probes usefully in realtime instead of leaving them to roam around with huge lag and probably missing 90% of the potentially interesting stuff they could be examining. And recover some material to bring back to Earth for life signs analysis, instead of baking it on Mars in a wholly inadequate process.

      Seriously, if the USA announced a manned mission to Mars for a certain near but doable year and presold some corporate sponsorships, NASA's funding problems would go away. Why not put corporate money to good use for a change? I don't care if their damn spacesuits say Google on the back and they call it "the Mars Orbiter brought to you by Microsoft" as long as they actually get there before I'm bloodywell dead.

      --
      "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word."--Andrew Jackson
    21. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Thing+I+am · · Score: 1

      You sound mad.

      --
      That sucking sound you hear is my bandwidth.
    22. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by treeves · · Score: 1

      I'd have gone with Robert Goddard, not von Braun, if you want to talk about underknown (is that a word? it should be) American space pioneers.

      --
      ...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.
    23. Re:I'd rather celebrate the first *man* in space by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The proper retort is "Why U mad?"
      Now go back to 4chan and keep practicing.

  6. I was born the day Alan Shepard went up by NixieBunny · · Score: 2

    So was my twin brother. Hmm... two suits. Birthday presents for each other?

    --
    The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
    1. Re:I was born the day Alan Shepard went up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I hope you and your brother have fun in your birthday suits.

  7. Re: Average American by TaoPhoenix · · Score: 1

    Well, for a while it was Un-American to know info about Russian stuff. They told us to ' back off and remain blissfully ignorant', so the average American said 'well, okay then'.

    --
    My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
  8. Free shipping? by xgr3gx · · Score: 1

    Can I get free shipping if I use "Buy it now". What about local pickup?
    Oh, and can you post picture of the back of the suits?

    --
    Shameless plug alert: Game server control panel
  9. First bid... by Chapter80 · · Score: 1

    A penny?

    But the $125,000 shipping charge is a little pricey.

  10. Re:Apollo 1 flight suits also by nospam007 · · Score: 1

    "Would you believe a cigarette machine in a cancer ward?"

    Where else are the smokers in a hospital?

  11. Yuck by Willuz · · Score: 2

    So basically they peed and crapped in their pants and now you want to buy them and probably wear them?

  12. Re: Average American by GooberToo · · Score: 3, Informative

    Well, for a while it was Un-American to know info about Russian stuff.

    Even more so, the Russians filtered everything and propagandized what was released through the iron curtain. It wasn't even until the 1980s that people had a chance to really learn the history of the Russian space program.

    And according to recent books and documentaries by Nova, some of that isn't truly accurate either.

  13. A short poem by paulproteus · · Score: 1

    For sale:
    Space suit,
    never worn.

    (Hat-tip to Ernest H.)

    --
    |/usr/games/fortune
  14. Have spacesuit.. by Keruo · · Score: 2

    Have spacesuit - Will Travel

    --
    There are no atheists when recovering from tape backup.
    1. Re:Have spacesuit.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ah, yes. The first sci-fi book I ever read (either that or Red Planet). As dated as they are, ya gotta love Heinlein's juveniles.

    2. Re:Have spacesuit.. by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Have spacesuit - Will Travel

      I hope Mr Travel enjoys his spacesuit.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  15. Bonhams by KevinDean · · Score: 1

    Many Bonhams died to bring you this information.

  16. Russia? Who cares? by cstanley8899 · · Score: 0

    America is what gets my dick hard so I don't give a fuck.

  17. Sokol series: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not too special in and of themselves. They're designed for life suppourt in emergency cases, such as loss of cabin pressure. They're very light and not intended for EVA / use outside of the space vehicle.

  18. Re:Apollo 1 flight suits also by atrain728 · · Score: 1

    Standing just outside every entrance?

  19. Whew! by wcrowe · · Score: 1

    I was afraid the headline was from an East Texas CraigsList ad.

    --
    Proverbs 21:19
    1. Re:Whew! by Onuma · · Score: 1

      Houston, we have a problem.

      --
      What else can happen when an unstoppable force collides with an immovable object?
  20. Re:Apollo 1 flight suits also by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The lulz is strong with this one.

  21. Previous Space Auctions... by Catmeat · · Score: 1

    Hardly news... Sotherby's first sold a bunch of Russan space hardware (including several space suits) in New York back in 1993,

    [reference] http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F0061EF93A5A0C718DDDAB0994DB494D81

  22. Re:Apollo 1 flight suits also by nospam007 · · Score: 1

    The smokers who are missing several limbs already?
    Where I live, yep!