Russia on Thursday unveiled a new space suit for a future spaceship, but the design may have to be changed to continue a decades-old tradition: Peeing on the way to the launch.

The Sokol-M prototype suit was demonstrated as a future replacement for suits currently worn.

But the new design makes it impossible to carry on one particular ritual launched by the first man in space Yury Gagarin, who had to stop and relieve himself on the back wheel of the bus that was taking him to the launch pad in 1961.

The stop has been replicated at every launch from the Baikonur launch pad and many male cosmonauts and astronauts pee on the tire for good luck - something that would be impossible in the new suit, according to its maker: The aerospace firm Zvezda.

Women astronauts are not obligated to participate but some have been known to bring vials of their urine to splash on the tire instead.

AFP