Pre Challenger Shuttle Launch Helmet

Before the Challenger disaster, all missions starting with STS-5 used these flight helmets. No pressure suits were worn. The crew only wore one-piece light blue flight suits, escape harnesses, the above helmet.  If the Shuttle’s cabin had depressurized on flights STS-5 to STS-51L the astronauts blood would literally have boiled due to the absence of emergency pressure suits.