The new suit was named the Sokol-K, K (Kosmos) is the abbreviation of the Russian word for space. Variants Sokol-K The first version of the suit, it was used on Soyuz 12, launched on September 27, 1973. Specifications Name: Sokol-K Rescue Spacesuit Derived from: Sokol aviation full pressure suit Manufacturer: NPP Zvezda Missions: Soyuz 12 (1973) to Soyuz 40 (1981) Function: Intravehicular activity (IVA) Operating Pressure: Suit Weight: Sokol-KR A version intended for use with the TKS spacecraft which was to be used as part of the Almaz programme. The suit was never used as the TKS never flew with a crew. Its main difference was that it was designed to work with a regenerative life support system. Sokol-KM and Sokol-KV Work on improving the Sokol-K began 1973, immediately after its introduction. The Sokol-KM and KV were intermediate models on which many of the features of the Sokol-KV2 were developed, neither was ever used in space. To be donned, the Sokol-KM and KV split into upper and lower halves joined by zip fasteners. However, this feature was discarded in the Sokol-KV2 and the appendix was retained as a means of donning the suit it was thought to be more reliable than the airtight zippers the Russians were able to make. Other changes included alterations to the fabric around the joints, to improve mobility, and improvement of the gloves, to make it easier to operate the spacecraft controls. The KM and KV also featured a liquid-cooled undergarment that would increase the comfort of the wearer by efficiently removing body-heat; other suits relied on the flow of air to do this. Specifications Name: Sokol-KV Rescue Spacesuit Manufacturer: NPP Zvezda Missions: None Function: Intra-vehicular activity (IVA) Operating Pressure: Suit Weight: Sokol-KV2 The Sokol-KV2, the current version of the suit, was first used on the Soyuz T-2 mission, launched on June 5, 1980. The main improvement was the replacement of the rubber pressure layer of the Sokol-K with rubberised polycaprolactam to save weight. The visor was modified and enlarged to give the wearer a better field of view. Laces in the outer canvas layer were replaced with zippers to make the suit quicker to don and the pressure relief valve was moved from the left abdomen to the centre of the chest so either hand could be used to alter the suit's pressure setting. The improved arms, legs, and gloves of the Sokol-KV were