The Space Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) consists of 18 separate items. Fully assembled, the EMU becomes a nearly complete short-term spacecraft for one person. It provides pressure, thermal and micrometeoroid protection, oxygen, cooling water, drinking water, food, waste collection, (including carbon dioxide removal), electrical power, and communications.

The EMU's gloves consist of restraint and bladder layers encased in a thermal micrometeoroid garment (TMG). The gloves are long enough to protect the astronaut's wrists as well as hands and are attached to the space suit arms at the wrist disconnects. Since 1985, the gloves have been the only part of the EMU custom-sized to individual astronauts.

This particular right hand EMU glove was worn in the water immersion tank by astronauts during training. The interior ID label in the glove reads: "TMG, Glove Assembly; Part No. 0106-80538-52; Serial No. 104, Size O6 F; Code Ident. 74897. The label has been marked in red "Class III" with diagonal red lines indicating that this glove was surplused by NASA.