Astronauts working at the International Space Station depend on their space suits to keep them alive, but some innovators in Europe are looking to adapt the technology for activities closer to home.  Firefighters, industrial workers and other people subjected to extreme temperatures could benefit from the built-in cooling and protective systems integrated into a space suit.

“The main goal is to keep the temperature and humidity levels inside [work] suits at a comfortable level when operating in harsh environments,” Stefano Carosio, Safe&Cool project manager for ESA at the Italian firm D’Appolonia, told SPACE.com. “We used in particular the concept of cooling vests worn by astronauts for thermal management.”

Part of the appeal of the suit is the ability to not only keep the wearer cool and comfortable, but to manage humidity and keep the wearer from losing concentration or ability to perform during strenuous tasks in extreme conditions.

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