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The various configurations being considered for Space Station Freedom have resulted in a moving target for tomorrow's demand for EVA and the requirements that will be imposed on the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). The Shuttle EMU is baselined to perform the assembly and operational activities of station and is currently undergoing the necessary incremental re-certification. This paper presents the evolution of an EMU from two perspectives. First, evolution is discussed within the context of continuously improving the life support system and the space suit assembly from the Mercury Program to NASA's current flight EMU. This includes a status of the on-going enhancements and a discussion on the merits of additional improvements. The second perspective describes evolution for future programs involving significant differences in mission requirements and environments.

The Space Shuttle Program Extravehicular Mobility Unit (SSP EMU) will support initial phases of the Space Station Freedom program. These phases are station assembly and man-tended operation from Shuttle and the first stages of Station's permanently manned capability. Station support increases requirements for on-orbit duration, adds new requirements for accommodation aboard Freedom and adds new environments unique to Freedom. Building upon enhancements currently in the EMU program, the SSP EMU appears to be well capable of meeting these new requirements. Certification will be extended by analysis and test and supported by limited redesign in a few specific areas. This paper discusses the enhanced EMU, identifies the new requirements for Space Station Freedom support, the process for identifying and approving these requirements, and the expected delta certification and limited redesign programs.