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Why do astronauts wear heels?

Space Exploration Asked on November 13, 2021

I was reading another question on the site when I noticed the EVA suit sports heels.

Astronaut with heels

Why do they put heels on space suits? (cropped detailed view)

One Answer

That only looks like a heel! As shown here, it's a "foot restraint interface"!

That said, it probably makes walking around in the training facilities a lot easier. Although that doesn't happen much - the EMUs are heavy.

enter image description here

Source: JSC-19450 Rev. B Extravehicular Mobility Unit Systems Training Workbook

This picture of a Manipulator Foot Restraint - it was grappled by the shuttle robot arm and used to move crewpersons around - shows the interface with the boot. You can see where the heels fit.

enter image description here

Source: Smithsonian Air & Space museum

And here's a crewperson in the restraint.

enter image description here

Source

Finally, here's the Portable Foot Restraint attached to the space station robot arm. You can see it has the same interface to the boot.

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Source

Answered by Organic Marble on November 13, 2021

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