Comparison of Nostromo & Prometheus Space Suits

SC, That is a rather simple question that I can answer for you. We've debated that question a lot around here, LOL. The short answer is the Nostromo was a space tug hauling a refinery, so the space suits would be more bulky and rugged for hard work and really harsh environments. The ones in Prometheus are more streamlined for ease of use by scientists and military where it requires a lot of dexterity of movement. That is the current theory. That and Ridley said he was done with "Grunge". Regards, Rick

also there is a scene in the trailer where you can see someone in normal space suit or like the space suits in alien. they are unloading or something.

Hey zim I haven't seen that shot you have a link?

Plus, I think that 30 years after 'Alien', Ridley is able to realize things he couldn't back in '79. Someone asked why the computers on the bridge of the Nostromo were so old. Ha, that set was probably state of the art in '79.

I would speculate that the suits are designed for different types of conditions. Some worlds might not need a completely pressurized suit, where as in space with a total vacuum you would use a full pressure suit, one that appears to be more bulky and cumbersome. Some planets might have an atmosphere and pressure, but no oxygen to breath, so all you would need is the suit to provide air to breath.

Yep I puzzled that to. The Nostromo was a commercial ship. The equipment would have been built for heavy duty work. Another thing is the computer screens on the Nostromo versus the new technology in the Prometheus movie. While the technology in 1979 was still early computer days, you can figure that on a space tug the latest tech would have been expensive an unnecessary. They only needed equipment to perform the basic tasks. Fancy holoscreens would have been luxury. If you look at the difference between commercial grade tech versus consumer tech, consumer tech is cheap short lived and designed to make you buy for the "pretty" factor. Commercial tech is designed by engineers where function and built to last is the key factor.

Ridley said the new look was simply a choice on his part, as he was sick of the grunge look. That said, my own madness suggests that the Nostromo suits were general issue, one-size-fits-all cheapo minimum rugged work suits. The Prometheus suits are specially made for each crew member, and the mission is of a more "visible" nature with respect to the company stockholders. The company would want the mission to have the greatest chance of success, so that crew would get the best of the best equipment and supplies. Plus, such a "pet project" would require the team to look good while they bring in those investment dollars, right?

@aintnozeno true that. The Nostromo crew were "space truckers" They went into hypersleep for the long voyage. When they got to the planet or asteroid mines they probably came out long enough to check the ships systems, effect any repairs, take on the raw ore and prep for return trip. Back in the freezerino's till they got to earth with the already processed ore. The crew was barely awake long to do much of anything other than their jobs. I think in the Alien book Ripley was described as a professional dreamer because she spent so much time in hypersleep. Good work if you can get it. Overall point being, why have expensive high tech stuff if you don't have the chance to use it. And they were expendable...

A spacesuit is a spacesuit. If NASA sends a hooker to ISS, bitch would have spacesuit. If they send Cmdr. Shepard, bitch would have the same spacesuit. Funny how modern the suits look in Prometheus, and how little spacesuits have changed from the manned moon mission to today. In 50 years, they look the same. [b]They changed it couse skintight looks cool[/b]. I agree it does, it's a minor point, no use to explain it like that. I can't imagine a company that went into space today and designed their own NEW suits. A spacesuit is a spacesuit, girls. Although, they have different EVA suits onboard, similar to the ones in Alien.

Look up space suit research on google and you will see at least a few prototypes of different space suits. One in particular looks a lot like the suits being worn by the crew of the Prometheus. The reason the space suits look the way they do in Alien is because it was the most realistic design at the time. If you look at the current real world research the suits in Prometheus are a more realistic vision of future technology than the ones seen in Alien. One thing I am curious to see is if Ridley Scott tackles the problem of dust. Most of the research being done with space suits is to find a way to make it "dust-proof". Tracking alien dust into your ship could cause discomfort, illness, and even death.

I think the theory of the planet Prometheus lands on has an atmospheric pressure but lacks enough oxygen for humans, but then when they get to the temple or whatever they take there masks off for some reason so who knows.

I thought about this too, and it's fun to come up with reasons why technology in all prequel movies are more advanced than in the stories that take place further in the future. This applies to this movie as well as the Star Wars prequels and Star Trek reboot. It just boils down to movie special effects are obviously much better now, and while it might look cool to keep the continuity of technology in movies, it just doesn't look pretty.

Take a closer look at ALIEN and there are several types of helmets and space suits hanging around in the background. Ex: The two helmets on the bridge during the "conversation" between the two computers; lighter weight suits (other than those used by Kane, et al) hanging around near the airlocks during the search and chase scenes, etc. Also, The Nostromo was an older ship intended to look as if it had been "bashing around the planets for donkey's years." The whole grungy/retro/clunky look of the ship was intended to enhance the claustrophobia of the sets.

Maybe some things are there just for the looks? Biceps and quadriceps are plastered on the Prometheus crew suits. Hinges in the elbows. Yellow lights all around the collar. Rectangular yellow light in the chest. I am looking at superhero suits here, not space suits. In real life all these things would be a nuisance. Hopefully the rest of the movie is not such a nonsense.