NASA's Next-Generation Spacesuit for Artemis III Passes Key Review

The next-generation spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission has passed a contractor-led technical review. The spacesuit, developed by Axiom Space and named AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit), is currently undergoing testing with NASA astronauts and spacesuit engineers. These tests involve simulating surface operations and tasks underwater to evaluate safety and mobility.

The AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit) for NASA’s Artemis III mission has passed its contractor-led technical review and is now undergoing extensive testing to evaluate safety and mobility.

AxEMU: Design and Capabilities

The AxEMU is designed to provide astronauts with increased flexibility and improved mobility for moonwalking, enabling tasks such as collecting geology samples. Key features include increased sizing options, adjustability to fit various crew members, advanced life-support systems, and enhanced protection for the lunar environment. Axiom Space is also developing specialized tools for lunar surface work.

Designed for increased flexibility and improved mobility, the AxEMU will enable astronauts to perform critical tasks like collecting geology samples on the Moon.

Review and Assembly Timeline

Following Axiom Space's completion of its internal technical review, NASA will assess the spacesuit’s readiness for the Artemis III mission. A NASA-led critical design sync review, a required technical evaluation, will confirm the design's hardware and systems are prepared for final testing and delivery. Axiom Space has begun receiving parts for the first flight unit, with assembly anticipated for later this spring.

Lara Kearney, manager of the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at Johnson Space Center, noted that the internal review completion brings Axiom Space closer to delivering the next-generation lunar spacesuit.

Rigorous Testing Underway

NASA and Axiom Space have conducted over 850 hours of pressurized testing of the AxEMU. This testing has included underwater simulations and simulated lunar gravity tests at NASA Johnson facilities. These evaluations assess the spacesuit's capabilities for mobility and task performance in environments mimicking the Moon's surface and conditions for future Mars missions. Users of the suit have provided feedback on its design, functionality, and safety.

Simulating Lunar Environments

The first series of test runs in NASA Johnson's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory assessed functionality and ease of movement with the AxEMU weighted to simulate lunar gravity in the 40-foot-deep pool. Current evaluations in the Active Response Gravity Offload System facility are examining task performance at different suit pressure levels. This overhead lift system creates a reduced-gravity environment, allowing for simulated lunar gravity walking. Higher suit pressures aim to reduce acclimation time, potentially increasing time spent on the lunar surface during Artemis missions.

Prioritizing Astronaut Safety

Astronaut safety is a primary concern for the Artemis campaign. NASA has established technical and safety standards for the lunar spacesuits based on over 50 years of spacesuit expertise. NASA will continue to verify the AxEMU and its systems at key development milestones to ensure risks to Artemis crew members are understood and minimized.

Program Oversight and Future Impact

The Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program manages NASA's spacesuits contract, overseeing the development of spacesuits, human-rated rovers, spacewalking tools, and support systems for extravehicular activities on and around the Moon. The new spacesuits are integral to NASA's Artemis missions, supporting scientific discovery, economic benefits, and future human exploration of Mars.