NASA to unveil spacesuit for lunar mission

In an announcement on March 10, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said it would launch a new astronaut suit. This outfit will be used by American astronauts on the Artemis III mission to return to the Moon in an event on March 15.

The suit is being developed by Axiom Space. Several prototypes of the suit will be showcased at the event, including versions specifically designed for female astronauts who will participate in the Artemis III mission.

NASA to unveil spacesuit for lunar mission - 1 — The xEMU (Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit) spacesuit prototype developed by NASA for the Artemis mission, first introduced in 2019. (Photo: NASA)

NASA has selected Axiom Space to provide equipment that will allow astronauts to operate in the South Pole region of the Moon.

As NASA explains, partnering with outside commercial entities will allow the agency to optimize the development of astronaut systems for spaceflight and lunar operations most effectively. It also helps the private aerospace sector grow.

The new spacesuit will allow humans to explore both space and the lunar surface better than previous designs. It could be ready for use by 2025, after testing in the International Space Station or in a simulated environment. NASA is also preparing for other new equipment, such as the Artemis III lunar lander.

Astronauts still rely on space equipment designed some 45 years ago for the Space Shuttle program.

NASA’s Artemis mission to return to the Moon is developing and re-engineering nearly all of its vehicles, including spacesuits, lunar rovers, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and the Orion spacecraft. NASA also aims to build ground systems that will enable a long-term human presence on the Moon during the Artemis mission. This is an important foundation for sending humans to Mars in the future.

Tra Khanh (Source: NASA)

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