by Resistant to radiation and extreme temperatures, the new equipment used on the Moon will have a helmet with video cameras and allow astronauts to move naturally.
NASA on Wednesday unveiled the suit astronauts will wear on the Artemis III mission, which will mark humanity’s return to the moon 50 years later. Fully prepared for hostile environments, the suit, created by Axiom Space, provides flexibility benefits and is equipped with the tools and technology necessary to explore Earth’s only natural satellite, which will then be stepped on by the first woman .
During the mission – which starts in 2025 and aims, in the future, to carry people to Mars – the astronauts will be subjected to something completely new: temperatures of 50º in the bright areas and -200º in the shadow areas. Despite being shown in black, the suit used in the mission will be white. According to those responsible for Axiom Space, although there is no distinction between women’s and men’s versions, the clothes will have various sizes available. “It is adaptable to the particularities of each body,” they guaranteed, explaining that the final product comes from research conducted by the US space agency for a decade.
In addition, the astronauts will be able to dress in an easy and practical way: the suit has an opening at the back, like a door, that can be closed by the person himself, without needing help. Radiation-resistant, the gear features powerful built-in lights, a helmet with high-resolution video cameras and a diaper capable of six-hour lunar excursions, allowing for much more natural movements than its predecessors. Yes, the era of hopping astronauts is over.
The task of designing, developing, certifying, certifying and manufacturing the spacesuits was undertaken entirely by Axiom Space, at an investment of 215 million euros.
The South Pole of the Moon is a strategic territory whose exploration is particularly contested by the major space powers – among them the US and China – believing that there are large amounts of frozen water. This water will be necessary to support future colonies, produce fuel and run all the systems necessary to fulfill NASA’s next big dream: to get humanity to the Red Planet.
