Space technology company Axiom Space and Italian fashion house Prada have revealed the final version of the space suit for NASA’s upcoming lunar mission Artemis 3. The first version of this space suit was made in Axiom’s signature colors of blue, black and orange, and was decorated with the Axiom logo to hide the elements space clothing at the time of its development. Now the final, white version of the spacesuit has been presented to the public.
In 2022, NASA awarded Axiom a $228.5 million order as part of a $1.26 billion contract to build next-generation spacesuits to support the Artemis lunar program. Taking inspiration from the classic xEMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) spacesuit developed by NASA engineers, Axiom Space created the new AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit) “extravehicular mobility unit” suit, which provides increased flexibility, better protection from the harsh environment of space and specialized tools for scientific research.
The suits, designed for use by astronauts on the Moon, will have a white coating that reflects heat and protects the wearer from extreme temperatures and solar radiation. Fashion designer for science fiction series Esther Marquis took part in the creation of AxEMU. The suit was originally designed for use by a wide variety of crew members, regardless of gender and physical condition.
The white spacesuit received dark gray pads on the elbows and knees and around the hip joints. The boots, with light blue soles, echo the shoes worn by the first astronauts during the Apollo era. Attachment points for red stripes were added to the suit, the same ones were added to the Apollo, Space Shuttle and Space Station suits to distinguish crew members.
The upper torso with integrated helmet and portable life support system (PLSS) backpack also has attachment points for national flag and mission name patches. The suit’s commercial design is highlighted by the Axiom logo embroidered in gray on the suit’s mid-section flap.
The suit is equipped with an on-board diagnostic system, a regenerative carbon dioxide purification system and cooling technology to remove heat. He received additional coating on the helmet and visor to improve visibility and improved gloves compared to those previously used by astronauts.
AxEMU has passed preliminary design verification, with final testing of the suit scheduled for 2025. According to the manufacturer, the suit provides a stay on the lunar surface of at least eight hours and can withstand extreme conditions at the south pole of the Moon. AxEMU is able to withstand low temperatures in permanently shaded regions for at least two hours.
The suit successfully completed unmanned underwater testing at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and underwent reduced-gravity simulations at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Further testing involves manned dives into the NBL and comprehensive testing with lunar rover prototypes.
«We broke the mold,” said Axiom President Matt Ondler. “The Axiom Space and Prada partnership has established a new foundational model for cross-industry collaboration.”
«“We are opening a new era in space exploration, where partnerships are mandatory for the commercialization of space,” added Russell Ralston, executive vice president of extravehicular activities at Axiom Space. “For the first time, we are leveraging the expertise of other industries to create a better solution for space.”
«“I am very proud of the result that we are showing today,” said Lorenzo Bertelli, Marketing Director and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility of Prada Group. “We shared our expertise in high-performance materials, features and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot.” Earlier, he recalled the company’s “advanced” work and many years of experience in working with the Luna Rossa Prada America’s Cup sailing team, which uses technologies that are not inferior to space technology.
Image source: nssmag.com
During the Artemis 3 mission, NASA plans to land the first woman on the Moon, along with another American-born astronaut. Future Artemis missions will bring the first person of color to the Moon and astronauts from partner countries including Japan and the EU.