NASA took to the air this week to test the modified ACES, or Advanced Crew Escape Suit, being designed for use in the Orion spacecraft. The modified ACES suit would be used during launch and entry, as well as during unexpected depressurizations on Orion. To see how well astronauts will be able to move in space while wearing the pressurized suit, it was tested on an airplane flying steep parabolas to provide moments of simulated zero gravity.

The design is based heavily on -- and uses many of the same parts as -- the space shuttle launch and entry suits, which were called ACES. However this suit is a "closed loop" system, which means it has the ability to get rid of the carbon dioxide an astronaut breathes out.