Tag

Spacesuits

All articles tagged with #spacesuits

Artemis II’s New Space Suits May Bring More Strain Than Support
space19 days ago

Artemis II’s New Space Suits May Bring More Strain Than Support

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.

House bill tightens NASA oversight of Artemis lander and spacesuits
policy-and-politics25 days ago

House bill tightens NASA oversight of Artemis lander and spacesuits

The House Science Committee’s NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 would require NASA to provide detailed progress, funding, milestones, and challenges reports on Blue Origin and SpaceX’s lunar lander work and on spacesuit development, with reports due within 60–90 days of enactment. It also mandates maintaining in-house spacesuit expertise at Johnson Space Center, outlines ISS transition plans to commercial stations, and requests a Mars Sample Return strategy, all while keeping Artemis architecture largely intact and aiming for a 2028 Artemis 3 landing.

Artemis II crew suited up for lunar flyby as four orange spacesuits are prepped
space28 days ago

Artemis II crew suited up for lunar flyby as four orange spacesuits are prepped

Space.com reports four orange Artemis II spacesuits are staged in the Kennedy Space Center suit-up room as NASA readies a 10‑day lunar flyby aboard the Orion spacecraft. The suits are designed to protect astronauts inside Orion during launch, ascent, in‑space contingencies and reentry, not for walking on the Moon. The crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch (NASA) and Jeremy Hansen (CSA)—will have their suit fittings and connections checked in a controlled sequence to validate life‑support interfaces ahead of future missions like Artemis III and IV.

NASA’s Moon Suits Under Heavy Scrutiny Ahead of Artemis 3
science29 days ago

NASA’s Moon Suits Under Heavy Scrutiny Ahead of Artemis 3

NASA's Artemis program hinges on a Moon spacesuit built by Axiom Space, which is notably heavy (about 300 pounds) and could impose extreme physical stress during daily extravehicular activities, prompting concerns from veteran astronaut Kate Rubins; NASA, while stressing ongoing testing and improvement, weighs Artemis 3 plans and lunar descent options as it finalizes the suit design for the mission.

NASA Faces Urgent Spacesuit and ISS Leak Challenges Amid Disagreements
science-and-technology1 year ago

NASA Faces Urgent Spacesuit and ISS Leak Challenges Amid Disagreements

NASA's aging spacesuits, dating back to the 1980s, are increasingly problematic, with recent incidents forcing the cancellation of spacewalks due to safety concerns. The agency is under pressure to update its extravehicular mobility units, having contracted private companies to develop new suits. However, progress is hindered by financial issues at Axiom Space, the remaining contractor after Collins Aerospace withdrew. The situation underscores broader concerns about the aging International Space Station's infrastructure.

NASA Faces Challenges with Aging ISS and Spacewalk Equipment
space1 year ago

NASA Faces Challenges with Aging ISS and Spacewalk Equipment

NASA is addressing safety concerns related to the aging International Space Station (ISS) and its extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) spacesuits, which have been in use since the 1980s. Recent issues include a coolant leak during a planned spacewalk and a persistent leak on the Russian side of the ISS. NASA and Roscosmos are managing these challenges while planning for future commercial space stations and next-generation spacesuits. Despite these issues, NASA emphasizes safety and collaboration with Russian counterparts.

"Dune-Inspired Spacesuit Recycles Urine into Drinking Water for Astronauts"
space-exploration1 year ago

"Dune-Inspired Spacesuit Recycles Urine into Drinking Water for Astronauts"

Researchers from Cornell University have developed a new "stillsuit" inspired by the Dune movies, designed to recycle urine into drinkable water for astronauts during spacewalks. This innovation aims to replace the current use of diapers, known as maximum absorbency garments (MAGs), which do not recycle waste and have caused health issues. The new suit features a urine collection and filtration system that is 86% efficient, providing a more hygienic and sustainable solution for long-duration space missions, including NASA's upcoming Artemis missions to the moon.

Boeing's Starliner: Buzzing Astronauts and Crewed Test Flight Prep
space1 year ago

Boeing's Starliner: Buzzing Astronauts and Crewed Test Flight Prep

Boeing's Starliner spacesuits, designed for use inside the spacecraft, have impressed NASA astronauts with their flexibility and comfort. The suits, which are lighter and more flexible than previous designs, feature touchscreen-sensitive gloves and a wrap-around glass helmet. The upcoming Crew Flight Test (CFT) will see NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams evaluate the performance of the Starliner and its spacesuits during a 10-day mission to the International Space Station. The suits, available in five sizes, are tailored for comfort and safety, with integrated boots developed with San Antonio Shoemakers. Boeing's ongoing efforts to improve spacesuit design reflect a broader trend in the development of suits for future space missions.

"Starfield Update: Patch Removes Early Spacesuit Method, Introduces Photo Mode and Performance Improvements"
gaming2 years ago

"Starfield Update: Patch Removes Early Spacesuit Method, Introduces Photo Mode and Performance Improvements"

Bethesda's latest beta update for Starfield, version 1.10.30, fixes various quality-of-life issues but also removes a method that allowed players to obtain the Mark 1 Spacesuit early by bypassing a Master lock in the Lodge Basement. This change has disappointed some players who enjoyed the sneaky method, while others see it as a positive change. Bethesda has promised regular updates for the game, with the possibility of more fan-favorite techniques being removed in the future.

"From Spacewalks to Spacesuits: Astronaut's Role in Future ISS Crew Gear"
space-technology2 years ago

"From Spacewalks to Spacesuits: Astronaut's Role in Future ISS Crew Gear"

Collins Aerospace is developing a next-generation spacesuit for International Space Station (ISS) spacewalks, aiming to replace the current extravehicular mobility units (EMUs). The company's chief test astronaut, retired NASA astronaut John "Danny" Olivas, discussed the development and testing of the new suit, which is also being considered for moon exploration as part of NASA's Artemis program. The suit is designed to be lighter, more flexible, and intuitive for astronauts, with features such as increased mobility and improved safety. Olivas emphasized the importance of his past spacewalking experience in contributing to the development of the new spacesuit.