NASA Taps Axiom Space for Next-Gen Artemis Suits
NASA awarded Axiom Space a $228.5 million contract to deliver a "moonwalking system" for the Artemis III mission, which will return Americans to the Moon.
Under the Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) contract, Axiom will develop(Opens in a new window) a next-generation spacesuit and supporting systems ahead of a planned mission to land the first woman and first person of color on Earth's satellite in three years.
"Our modernized, evolvable spacesuits will enable rapid upgrades to implement better, safer technologies over time, ensuring our astronauts are always equipped with high-performing, robust equipment," Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini said in a statement(Opens in a new window). "We look forward to providing our space pioneers with advanced tools needed to further humanity's permanent expansion off the planet."
The Texas-based firm—which beat out NASA's other Artemis spacesuit partner, Collins Aerospace, for this job—is responsible for the design, development, testing, certification, and production of a moonwalking system. The private company must also provide required support equipment and test the suits in a space-like environment ahead of their use.
"NASA is proud to partner with commercial industry on this historic mission that will kickstart the United States building a lasting presence on the surface of the Moon," says Lara Kearney, manager of NASA's Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility program. "What we learn on Artemis III and future missions on and around the Moon will pave the way for missions to Mars. Spacesuits enable us to literally take that next step."
Additional contracts for "a full suite of capabilities for NASA's spacewalking and moonwalking needs" will be up
Read more on pcmag.com
