📷 Image Credits: Business Insider India
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“generated_title”: “Axiom Space Unveils Cutting-Edge Spacesuits for Moon Exploration – HeadlineFly.com”,
“generated_article”:
“Axiom Space recently revealed the next generation of spacesuits designed for astronauts to explore the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program. The new suit, known as the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), was showcased at an event on March 15th, showcasing innovative features to enhance mobility and functionality for lunar missions.
The prototype suit, developed for the Artemis III mission, is a significant upgrade from the traditional spacesuit design that NASA astronauts have been using for over 40 years. Unlike the iconic puffy white spacesuits of the past, the AxEMU is designed with improved mobility to allow astronauts to walk, bend, and crouch comfortably on the lunar surface.
One of the key elements of the new suit is its focus on thermal requirements to withstand the cold temperatures found on the Moon’s south pole. The dark gray cover of the prototype, designed by costume designer Esther Marquis, will be replaced with a white suit for thermal reasons. This design shift aims to reflect heat from sunlight rather than absorbing it, ensuring the safety and comfort of the astronauts.
During the presentation, Jim Stein, the chief engineer at Axiom Space, demonstrated the suit’s enhanced capabilities by showcasing the flexibility and range of motion it offers. The AxEMU features additional joints, particularly in the lower half, enabling astronauts to perform intricate movements that were previously challenging in the older design. This advancement will facilitate tasks like walking and picking up objects from the lunar surface with ease.
Moreover, the new AxEMU helmet incorporates features such as a light band over the helmet bubble for improved visibility and an HD video camera on the side to livestream astronaut point-of-view videos back to Earth. The boots are also insulated to protect astronauts working in the cold, shadowed regions of the Moon, ensuring their safety and comfort during extravehicular activities.
Unlike previous practices, NASA will not own the spacesuits outright; instead, the agency has entered into a service contract with Axiom Space to provide the necessary hardware. This model allows NASA to have access to cutting-edge spacesuit technology without the burden of ownership, ensuring a seamless collaboration for successful lunar missions.
The unveiling of the AxEMU marks a significant milestone in space exploration, laying the groundwork for future missions to the Moon and beyond. With innovative design features and a focus on enhanced mobility, these next-generation spacesuits are poised to redefine the capabilities of astronauts as they embark on new adventures in space.
