One step after another to return to tread the lunar soil. This March 15, Axiom Space revealed his new scuba developed for NASA. And the least we can say is that a breath of fresh air is blowing over these new outfits. They still have to be uncompromising…
And they will be white!
Style, but on the Moon
It had to look good to the general public. Axiom Space has used the services of Esther Marquis, costume designer for the series For All Mankind, for the colors of its new lunar spacesuit. The thermal stresses of the lunar environment are such that the day NASA astronauts tread the regolith again, they will be white in color. It doesn’t matter, because the objective was to communicate on the advances in the design of this AxEMU, a public-private partnership to provide lunar suits. The subject, indeed, is sensitive: not only does NASA have recurring problems with its aging spacesuits designed and manufactured in the early 1980s, but manufacturers have not rushed to respond to the request either. Fortunately, all the ingredients are there with this new suit from Axiom Space, based on NASA’s progress over the past 20 years. They will be used from the Artemis III mission to set foot on the lunar ground.
No fashion victim
Because it’s not just the color that changes with these AxEMUs. First the materials, which use more modern technical compounds to offer more flexibility and resistance. As a result, the movements possible with the diving suits are much easier, whether at the level of the torso, but also of the legs. Visibility is improved thanks to a glass “bubble” better centered on the astronaut’s field of view, while cameras will film not only in the axis as currently, but also on the sides for a better observation of the environment. We put the spacesuit on from the back (and not with spare parts as currently), and the latter, even if its weight has not been disclosed, is lighter than the current EMUs. Note, however, that the demonstration model does not show possible settings on the torso, which seems surprising, because astronauts need to be able to change their thermal settings, in particular.
Not yet good for service
Finally, what was important for NASA as for Axiom, was that the new lunar spacesuit be more flexible to use, to be able to accommodate a wider range of morphologies. This is the case and the American agency announces that “more than 90%” of Americans could enter it. No more problems with insufficient stocks of small or large sizes, the AxEMU can adapt to them.
Before putting astronauts in them to walk on the Moon, NASA plans extensive testing with these new suits. Vacuum testing, pool operations, low gravity, sealing, abrasion resistance… As the Artemis program enters concrete operations, the American agency and its partners are facing new challenges. With the hope this time that it will serve longer than in the 70s.
Source : The Verge
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