Normal Suits
The term normal suit was not used to refer to space suits until the start of the one year war, this was to contrast them with the towering newly developed mobile suits.
By UC 0087 normal suits are fairly standardized and commonly grouped into three different types:
Light work suits, versatile general purpose space suits.
Hard suits, bulky space suits that prioritize personal protection and are commonly issued to space ship crew.
And of course the pilot suit, the slim space suits used by mobile suit pilots.
Pilot Suits
Unlike regular normal suits which are manufactured in a variety of standardized sizes due to how ubiquitous they are, pilot suits are customized to the measurements of its pilot.
Beyond being a pressurized space suit, pilot suits also double as g-suits and maintain optimal temperature, humidity and oxygen concentration at all times in order for MS pilots to be able to operate at their peak performance.
Chart over the basic functions of a normal suit
Pilot suit
Whereas life support systems of pilot suits during the one year war were integrated directly into the suit, pilot suits in UC 0087 have backpacks containing their life support systems, which compared to their predecessors have been greatly improved while also increasing comfort for the wearer.
As long as it is powered, the backpack of the pilot suit will continually recycle the pilot's exhaled CO2 into breathable oxygen by way of an oxygen catalyst, it also collects and recycles moisture from the suit. This catalyst can under ideal conditions work indefintely so the reserve oxygen tank is only really used in case of malfunction or if the suit is damaged.
At the bottom of the backpack is a slot for a jetpack.
The standard issue jetpack we see in the show is a modular derivative of the jetpack design used by the Principality of Zeon during the one year war.
At the top of the backpack is a hook for hanging the suit helmet.
Pilot suit helmets also integrate cutting edge technology, with excellent protection, heat resistance and comfort. It utilizes a ventilation system to prevent the visor from fogging up during combat, the visor is also double layered with shielding to protect the pilot's eyes from radiation and harsh light while maintaining good monitor visibility.
Helmet hanger hook
Though not strictly a part of the pilot suit itself, mobile suit pilots are issued a semi-automatic pistol as a sidearm to cover for various contingencies.
Despite being made for use in space and having a spacious trigger guard to make it easier to operate with a normal suit,
this pistol isn't exclusive to MS pilots and is standard issue in the Earth Federation military.
The design of this pistol is directly based on a design from the one year war which we see Amuro use throughout the original Mobile Suit Gundam, and is also
seen in Zeta Gundam as the same pistol is handed over and used by Katz as a good luck charm. Differences between the two models include a slightly shifted
ejection port so shells don't eject straight up, a more ergonomic safety lever and a shorter grip for lowered weight at the concession of one less bullet in
the magazine.
MS pilots generally have the holster for this pistol holstered around their ankle.
