NASA’s Glenn Research Center Presents Eva the Astronaut

Extravehicular Mobility Units

image of Eva the astronaut making an appearance — Eva is only available for events where NASA staff is available to support.

We are pleased to introduce to you the NASA’s Glenn Research Center goodwill ambassador: Eva the Astronaut. Eva makes special appearances at selected off-site events.

Eva greets the public with hugs, handshakes and high-fives. If there is music playing, Eva finds herself unable to resist the beat of the music and starts dancing. Eva isn’t shy, so she’ll gladly pose for pictures or get involved with the fun.

Eva is larger than life, standing 8-feet tall. Her fluffy frame makes hugging her almost irresistible. She adapts well to normal Earth gravity, amazing spectators with her agility and grace.

Eva is the strong silent type. Her spacesuit prevents her from communicating verbally with anyone who isn’t in radio contact with Mission Control. Nevertheless, she is quite expressive.

The Genesis of Eva

image of an astronaut in a spacesuit on a spacewalk or extravehicular activity — Astronaut Rick Mastracchio, STS-118 mission specialist, participates in the mission’s third planned spacewalk or extravehicular activity (EVA) on Aug. 15, 2007. Credit: NASA

Astronauts need a spacesuit to protect them from the harsh space environment whenever they leave their spacecraft. The official NASA term for spacewalking is “Extravehicular Activity” or “EVA”. The spacesuits themselves are called “Extravehicular Mobility Units” or “EMUs.” Quite frankly, naming our friend Emu just didn’t sound very flattering! Eva embodies the spirit of NASA’s heroic spacewalkers: past, present, and future.

The Inside Scoop

Eva is an inflatable costume. A battery pack powers a small fan that keeps the suit inflated. NASA staff wear this costume and work with the crowds for periods of approximately 45 minutes out of every other hour. An escort is required to navigate Eva through smaller passageways and to communicate on her behalf.

Scheduling an Appearance

Eva only makes occasional appearances at selected events at NASA’s Glenn Visitor Center and larger off-site events as a part of our Traveling Exhibits program. Unlike most of our other exhibits, Eva is only available for events where NASA staff is available to support.

Learn More

For more information about the spacewalks, visit the Space Station Extravehicular Activity Page.