Orlan-M

The Orlan-M ('Sea Eagle-Modified') was the primary Russian EVA suit during the critical ISS assembly phase, introduced to the station in 1998 and remaining in active use through 2009. Building on the Orlan-DM's improvements, the Orlan-M added an automated regeneration subsystem for the lithium perchlorate oxygen canister and an improved liquid thermal control system with a broader temperature range. It was the suit worn during the first Russian ISS EVA (December 8, 1998, by Sergei Krikalev and Anatoly Solovyev) and was responsible for installing the FGB-2 Zarya and Service Module Zvezda modules' external equipment. With a 4-year in-orbit life, multiple units cycled through the ISS. The Orlan-M established the reliability standard that drove continuous Orlan improvements; one unit (Orlan-M No. 4) completed 10 EVAs before retirement.