By September 2014 the Mark III suit  (model name “Gagarin +”) was fitted with improved constant-volume elbow segments and smaller communications gear and suit environment monitors, a smaller, low-profile suit pressure gauge and simple C02 monitoring. The suit was flown to over 17,000 in an unpressurized Bell Jet Ranger; biomedical records indicate that Dr. Smith remained in fine health through the 45-minute test, in which his body was ‘fooled’ by the suit to perceive an altitude of only just over 10,000 feet. The Mark III is seen below largely as it was flown on this first test flight.

Photo: Dr. Smith wears the Mark III suit.