All articles tagged with #axemu
NASA's AxEMU spacesuit, built by Axiom Space for the Artemis III lunar mission, passed a crucial internal review and is undergoing extensive testing—from underwater simulations in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory to gravity-offload trials—to verify enhanced mobility, safety, and life-support for astronauts exploring the Moon's South Pole.
NASA and Axiom Space have advanced the AxEMU lunar spacesuit toward Artemis III by completing an internal technical review and conducting extensive testing—including underwater and simulated lunar gravity—to verify mobility, safety, and task performance, with first flight unit parts arriving for assembly.
As Artemis II prepares for its lunar approach, experts warn the AxEMU space suits could be heavier and bulkier than the Apollo-era gear. Despite design improvements and better mobility, the suits’ weight—over 300 pounds on Earth—plus equipment and long, daily EVAs (up to nine hours) could impose significant physical stress on astronauts during moonwalks, challenging mobility even in reduced lunar gravity. Former astronauts like Kate Rubins emphasize the demanding conditions of moon exploration and the need to anticipate fatigue and exertion.