Spacesuit Keeps Astronaut Warm

The weather outside was frightful - nearly 100 degrees below zero - but spacewalking astronaut Winston Scott stayed delightfully warm in a 200-mile-high endurance test Wednesday.

Trying out thermal gear that astronauts will need when they build the international space station, Scott stood motionless for 35 minutes on a bridge in Endeavour’s cargo bay as the shuttle flew in the coldest possible position, its bay pointed toward deep space.

The first-time spacewalker, who ventured outside with astronaut Leroy Chiao, got a little cool but warmed right up when he turned on heaters in the fingertips of his gloves and disconnected a cooling system in his long underwear.

The $10 million spacesuits were modified last year in preparation for space station construction, which will be conducted in subzero temperatures beginning in 1997.