For the upcoming Artemis missions, NASA’s first attempt at landing astronauts on the moon since 1972, the spacesuit used will see a significant upgrade. Unlike the cumbersome – and iconic – suits worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon’s surface, the new suit will be “more nimble, comfortable and designed to fit a broader array of body types,” according to The Washington Post.
James Stein, the suit’s principal engineer, demonstrated not only the improved mobility afforded by the suit as compared to what was previously employed but also other noteworthy characteristics on Wednesday (March 15) at the Houston Space Center.
The suit is made by Axiom Space, a commercial business based in Houston, Texas, but it contains design aspects from prior NASA suits. It will be worn on the Artemis III mission, the program’s first lunar landing, which is set to take place in 2025. It is known as the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit).
What exactly does a spacesuit do?
Humans will not survive long in the harsh environment of outer space or the lunar surface without a spacesuit.
First and foremost, spacesuits shield the human body from the tremendous temperature variations of space. In the lack of an atmosphere, places exposed to direct sunlight become extremely hot, whilst areas exposed to darkness become extremely cold. The first function of a space suit is to protect the astronaut from severe temperatures.
Second, spacesuits offer astronauts a continuous supply of air as well as optimal air pressure around their bodies. They are pressurized to provide this effect, making them look more like human-shaped space spacecraft than clothing.
Finally, spacesuits shield humans from potentially lethal space radiation as well as micrometeorites and other particles traveling through space at breakneck speeds.
On the lunar surface, spacesuits also protect astronauts from lunar dust, identified by NASA specialists as the “number one environmental problem on the moon”. It is much more abrasive than dust on Earth, corroding anything it comes into contact with and potentially causing pulmonary ailments.
Spacesuits enable astronauts to accomplish jobs in space, conduct experiments and achieve mission objectives by allowing them to survive even in the harshest conditions of space.
What are some of the problems with previous spacesuits?
The Apollo missions (1961-72) were a watershed moment in the history of space exploration. The spacesuits used on the trip were likewise groundbreaking at the time. Unlike previous space missions’ primitive spacesuits, the Apollo suits featured their own life support systems and did not bulge when exposed to the vacuum of space. They also included boots designed for walking on the lunar surface. Aside from technological advancements, little has changed in the foundations of spacewalking suits used on the International Space Station.
These clothes, however, are stiff and difficult to wear. While rubberized bellows at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees provided some flexibility, astronauts still struggled with stiffness. This is why Armstrong and Aldrin quickly discovered that “skipping” on the lunar surface was easier than “walking,” as it did not require bending knees.
Because bending the waist was practically impossible, long handles were used in many instruments, yet even gripping objects was difficult due to the gloves worn. Working in a spacesuit is “like trying to adjust the carburetor on your truck while wearing baseball mittens,” astronaut Kathy Thornton told Engineering and Technology.
What are the improvements made in the new spacesuit?
The new spacesuits’ mobility was the most visible change during the presentation on Wednesday. Stein leaped, squatted, and did a number of other moves to demonstrate the AxEMU’s agility. Stein was able to perform moves that would have been impossible in a prior spacesuit.
Furthermore, the enormous clear bubble around the astronaut’s head gives far greater sight as well as lighting, which will be critical when astronauts step into dark craters near the lunar south pole, where NASA plans to research water ice. A high-definition camera mount is also included with the headpiece.
Another major component of the spacesuit is its design, which comfortably fits a wider range of body shapes while also allowing for more specific fit modifications. “An increased sizing and adjustability accommodate a wider range of the general population, providing a superior fit for astronauts while increasing their comfort and ability to perform tasks,” according to Axiom’s website.
In terms of security, increased mobility has not come at a cost. The AxEMU was created specifically to deal with lunar dust.
While much has changed, certain things remain the same as they were back then. “We’re still using diapers in the spacesuits,” Russell Ralston, deputy program manager for extravehicular activity at Axiom Space, told DW. “They’re simply a really effective answer.”