NASA Unveils Next-Generation Spacesuit for the Artemis III Mission to the Moon’s Surface
Credit: Axiom Cosmos
When NASA sends the first astronauts to explore the Moon’s South Pole, the rovers will be wearing spacesuits provided by Axiom Space. NASA selected the company to develop state-of-the-art suits for the Artemis III mission and got involved when the first prototype was unveiled during an event at the Houston Space Center in Texas on Wednesday.
Helping to take a step forward in the agency’s goal of building a sustainable economy on the Moon by working with commercial service providers, Axiom Space hosted an event where students and members of the media could ask questions and take a closer look at the suit.
Artemis III suit prototype, AxEMU. While this prototype uses a dark gray coating material, the final version is likely to be all white when worn by NASA astronauts on the lunar surface to keep astronauts safe and cool while working in the harsh environment of space. Credit: Axiom Cosmos
“NASA’s partnership with Axiom is critical to landing astronauts on the moon and maintaining America’s leadership in space. Based on NASA’s years of research and experience, the next-generation Axiom suits will not only enable the first woman to walk on the Moon, but will open up opportunities for more people to explore and conduct scientific research on the Moon than ever before,” he said. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Our partnership invests in America, supports American workers, and demonstrates another example of America’s technical ingenuity that will enable NASA and the commercial space sector to compete and win in the 21st century.”
When astronauts return to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years as part of NASA’s Artemis III mission, they will be wearing the next-generation Axiom Spacesuit to walk on the lunar surface. Credit: Axiom Cosmos
Artemis III will land astronauts, including the first woman, on the Moon to advance long-term lunar exploration and scientific discovery and inspire the Artemis generation. NASA selected Axiom Space to deliver the lunar access system, including the space suit, for the mission. The spacesuit, called the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or AxEMU, is based on NASA’s prototype suit design and includes the latest technology, increased mobility and additional protection from the hazards on the Moon.
NASA has decided to use a commercial services contract to develop a new suit, under which NASA buys moon landing services from Axiom Space. Under this model, the company is encouraged to outsource other commercial clients for its moonwalking services. This win-win approach helps support an emerging commercial market and gives NASA the right to use the data and technology developed under the contract for future research.
Credit: Axiom Cosmos
“NASA is leading the way in enabling the growing space economy by leveraging NASA’s industry capabilities and expertise to deliver lunar access services as safely, efficiently and effectively as possible,” said Lara Kearney, NASA’s Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program Manager.
NASA laid the groundwork for AxEMU through the Extravehicular Mobility Research Unit (xEMU) prototype development effort, which improved spacesuit designs for several applications. Axiom Space has used the expertise, knowledge, and data behind xEMU as the basis for the design and development of AxEMU, including advances in technology, training, astronaut feedback on comfort and maneuverability, and compatibility with other NASA systems. Building on previous NASA developments, we are helping Axiom Space mitigate technical and schedule risks.
Credit: Axiom Cosmos
NASA experts have defined the technical and safety standards to which the suits will be built, and Axiom Space has agreed to meet these key agency requirements. The AxEMU has the range of motion and flexibility needed to explore more of the lunar landscape and is suitable for a wide range of crew members, accommodating at least 90 percent of the US male and female population. Axiom Space will continue to apply state-of-the-art technological innovations in life support systems, suits and avionics as development continues.
Axiom Space is responsible for the design, development, qualification, certification and production of flight training suits and support equipment, including tools, for the Artemis III mission. Before the mission, the company will test the suit in a space environment. NASA retains the authority to train astronauts, plan missions, and approve service systems.
Credit: Axiom Cosmos
After Artemis III, the agency will compete with future Artemis mission services under the Extravehicular Exploration Services (xEVAS) contract. NASA uses the contract to meet the agency’s EVA needs for both the Moon and the International Space Station. The agency recently commissioned Collins Aerospace, which is also part of the xEVAS contract, to develop new spacesuits for astronauts to wear during spacewalks on the space station. Both providers will compete for future spacewalk and moonwalk service orders.
Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term and sustainable lunar presence to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before and prepare for future astronaut missions to Mars.
