NASA unveils new spacesuit for Artemis moon mission astronauts

NASA has revealed the spacesuits astronauts will wear on the moon for the Artemis lunar mission, which will see the first woman and non-white person to reach the moon’s surface.

“There haven’t been any new suits since the ones we designed for the Space Shuttle. Those suits are now in use on the space station. So for 40 years, we’ve had the same suits based on that technology.” . ” Said Vanessa Wyche March 15 press conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

A new spacesuit built for NASA by the private company Axiom Space is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the lunar south pole. At the South Pole of the Moon, temperatures average about -13°C (9°F), but can drop hundreds of degrees. The bottom of the crater in permanent shadow.

It also offers more mobility than previous spacesuits, weighing in at 55 kilograms, approximately 25 kilograms lighter than the spacesuits worn by the Apollo astronauts, and custom joints added for greater range of motion. . The suit has many joints, so it is not easy to put on and take off. Astronauts must enter through a hatch in the back of their suit.

The suit also has a torch panel above the helmet for operating tools and scientific equipment in low light, and a high-definition camera that allows people on Earth to see what the astronaut is doing. It is equipped.

A photo published by Axiom Space shows a black outer layer suit designed by Apple TV+ sci-fi series costume designer Esther Marquis. for all mankind In Axiom brand colors. The suits worn on the moon are white to reflect heat and keep the astronauts at the right temperature.

If all goes according to schedule, NASA’s Artemis 3 mission will land the first female and non-white astronaut on the Moon in 2025. Space exploration, especially on the moon, has historically been done almost exclusively by white men. For example, until last year, specific radiation risks for women had not been studied.