Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 72 — page 91: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION It need not be a steady flow, but a series of pulses, forcing its way between the outer and inner fabric, driven by the pressure of its own expansion. The gases, as they travel towards the helmet, willabsorb the body heat of the space- man and arrive safely warmed for breathing. Used, they will be ejected into space, carrying the unwanted carbon dioxide, water vapour and heat with them. Alternatively, air could be fed directly into the helmet, but with a second feed system running to the feet, so that, whenever he felt too warm, the spaceman could cool him- self by releasing a blast of air which would flush his suit from feet to helmet, drying and cooling him at the same time. The elastic material of the outer fabric would, of course, return to close con- tact as soon as the flow of air ceased. Simple, safe and eminently practical. for, as we have seen, plenty of air can be carried with little incon- venience. With air and protec- tion taken care of, all that is 90 left is water and food. Water will be provided in plastic bottles fitted with a sucking tube and must be regarded as an essential. So, also, must salt to replace that lost in perspiration. It is doubtful whether a spaceman will be in his suit long enough to feel hunger, but, if he is, glucose will provide quick energy. Both glucose and salt tablets could be fitted in spring-loaded, mouth- operated dispenser tubes. The only remaining prob- lem is how to make suits to fit an assortment of different sized individuals. A tall man, obviously, will not be able to wear a suit designed for a short man and vice versa, but aside from a few stock sizes, they will not have to be individually tailored. The suits can be fitted with zippers backed by soft rubber pleats so that they can be donned easily and quickly and then zipped and fastened snugly to the body. This arrangement will allow of some degree of adjustment, and the elastic nature of the suit-material will take care of the rest. conmicloooks.com