Axiom's Lunar Spacesuit Passes Milestone

- The AxEMU spacesuit builds upon NASA's Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) prototype, with Axiom Space utilizing NASA's data and experience to reduce technical and schedule risks. The design is about 50% reliant on the original xEMU prototype. - Under the Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) contract, Axiom Space was awarded a $228 million task order to develop the Artemis III lunar spacesuit. This is part of a larger contract with a potential value of $3.5 billion through 2034. - For thermal management and protection from the harsh lunar environment, the outer layer of the spacesuit, designed in partnership with Prada, will be white to reflect heat. The suit is designed to withstand temperatures in permanently shadowed regions for at least two hours. - The suit features a rear-entry hatch, allowing an astronaut to enter the rigid torso from the back, a design reminiscent of Russian Orlan spacesuits. It also includes a regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbing system and advanced cooling technology. - To enhance scientific work on the lunar surface, the suit incorporates an HD camera in the helmet, light bands for working in shadows, and specialized tools. The design aims to provide greater flexibility for tasks like collecting geological samples. - The AxEMU has undergone over 850 hours of pressurized testing with a person inside, including underwater simulations at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory to mimic lunar gravity. - Nokia is collaborating with Axiom Space to integrate 4G/LTE communication capabilities into the spacesuit, providing redundancy and higher bandwidth for data and video transmission up to 2 kilometers from the lander. - The suit architecture is designed to be multipurpose, forming a foundational design that can be adapted with minimal changes for missions in different environments, such as low-Earth orbit for the International Space Station or Axiom's future commercial station.