NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Dryden pilot Jim Smolka in a flight suit. (NASA Photo). Life Support's primary function is the safety of the aircrew. This entails the maintenance of all the aircrew flight equipment which includes:

• Flight Suit (Flame Retardant)
• Undergarments (Flame Retardant)
• Gloves (Flame Retardant)
• Helmet and Oxygen Mask
• Parachute / Torso Harness
• Boots
• Anti-G Garments (G-Suits)
• Life Preservers
• Anti-Exposure Suits
• Full Pressure Suits

Leslie Wilson inspecting a helmet and oxygen mask. (NASA Photo). Maintaining these items includes performing periodic inspections, cleaning, checking the fit of certain items, functional testing, and repair of any discrepancies. We also ensure that if an item has reached its service life (length of time allowed to be used) or is damaged beyond safe use it is replaced. We ensure the pilots (and all flying crew members) have properly laundered flight gear, which means they are washed separately to prevent introducing flammable fibers into the equipment.