Wait, if Kerbals have cylindrical heads, why do they have spherical helmets?

[Brainlord Mesomorph]

Wait, if Kerbals have cylindrical heads, why do they have spherical helmets?

I just noticed this.

Maybe that's why they don't need oxygen, because of all the extra space in the helmet!

[Stubby]

They have spherical helmets so that they can bounce from great heights. Obviously!

[thadisjones]

The spherical helmet is more pressure resistant, has the largest amount of volume for it's mass, has the fewest edges or corners that can bump or catch on obstructions, and is less likely to have weak spots that deform or break under impact.

[NecroBones]

I always thought it was so that they could keep rolling downhill with as little resistance as possible.

[impyre]

I always thought it was so that they could keep rolling downhill with as little resistance as possible.

I believe you're right.

[Rematog]

By "LABHOUSE"

Space helmet : shield for orbital reentry.

[LordFerret]

It's because of the awesome sound system they have installed inside the helmet... room for surround sound and killer sub-woofers.

[dryer_lint]

It's because of the awesome sound system they have installed inside the helmet... room for surround sound and killer sub-woofers.

While NASA sticks to those wimpy headsets for their communications.

[Brainlord Mesomorph]

It's because of the awesome sound system they have installed inside the helmet... room for surround sound and killer sub-woofers.

now I want one!

[Engineer of Stuff]

It's because of the awesome sound system they have installed inside the helmet... room for surround sound and killer sub-woofers.

I love KSP theories!

[AbacusWizard]

Big helmets make them look smarter so they can mentally intimidate any aliens they might encounter.

[Octa]

More place to storage tools in it.

at 1:05.

[tg626]

Because if they had cylindrical helmets they'd look like the black knight?

[ZedNova]

To hold oxygen, their packs are filled with RCS fuel so there's no room for O2 there.

[Sampa]

my reason: Because they're (the kerbals) are AWESOME!

[Jovus]

Because a sphere is the most efficient shape for a given volume of space, and they need the extra room for snack storage.

[Renegrade]

I'd just assumed they were fish bowls inverted and painted, in the spirit of the 'found lying by the side of the road' or "Jeb's Junkyard and Spaceship Company"...

[Alshain]

Um, same reason the astronauts do? Humans don't have spherical heads either you know.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Alshain

[Hobbes Novakoff]

Humans don't have spherical heads

[citation needed]

[Robotengineer]

It's a good question, they should have helmets similar to the helmets in 2001, it may be that the large helmet is the air tank though.

[Arsonik]

The spherical helmet is more pressure resistant, has the largest amount of volume for it's mass, has the fewest edges or corners that can bump or catch on obstructions, and is less likely to have weak spots that deform or break under impact.

Well, assuming the impact on the head is from the top, like when your trying to EVA land a kerbal that never should have a chance to survive, then the I imagine the best shape would be that of an egg.

[tg626]

Because a sphere is the most efficient pressu... no that can't be it.

[RainDreamer]

Kerbals are actually plant people and photosynthesize using their head and hair. Their helmet allow for a lot of lights to be caught and concentrate on the head.

[kerbiloid]

From the Kerbin forum "humanspaceprogram.com"

"Why do humans use suits made of spheres, if they have cylindrical legs and arms?"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_diving_suit

[Fel]

[citation needed]

Agreed, a photo is original research.

I agree with the notion that the helmet is there to help kerbals fall from great heights. How else do you explain how they try to naturally orient themselves head first when falling?