NASA unveiled its new spacesuits Wednesday. During a special event at Space Center Houston, the space agency showed the first prototype of the suits that astronauts will wear during their trips into space in the coming years:
.@Axiom_Space revealed a spacesuit prototype that our @NASA_Astronauts plan to wear near the Moon’s South Pole on @NASA’s #Artemis III mission.
The spacesuit will give lunar explorers extra mobility, protection, & the latest technology. Discover more: https://t.co/uxH21hkSjd pic.twitter.com/bqxcrwR6Y6
— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) March 15, 2023
Designed by Axiom Space, the spacesuits will be worn by the astronauts during the Artemis III mission, as NASA Administrator Bill Nelson explained in the space agency's press release:
NASA’s partnership with Axiom is critical to landing astronauts on the Moon and continuing American leadership in space. Building on NASA’s years of research and expertise, Axiom’s next generation spacesuits will not only enable the first woman to walk on the Moon, but they will also open opportunities for more people to explore and conduct science on the Moon than ever before. Our partnership is investing in America, supporting America’s workers, and demonstrating another example of America’s technical ingenuity that will position NASA and the commercial space sector to compete – and win – in the 21st century.
More range of motion than the original Apollo suits
The first prototype is called the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU). The spacesuit, NASA says, will allow astronauts to have a better range of motion than the original Apollo suits and incorporate the latest technology and additional protection to shield astronauts from lunar hazards.
What may change is the color. Although the prototype presented at the Houston Space Center is black, the aerospace agency assured that the final version will likely be white, as a lighter shade will help astronauts stay cool on the lunar surface.
