NASA Extends Agreements with Developers for Upcoming Space Suits
NASA has recently extended its contracts with Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace, who were initially selected in 2022 to create advanced spacesuits to replace the outdated gear currently used by astronauts. The space agency has now allocated an additional $5 million to each company, allowing them to design and develop new spacesuits that were not part of the original orders.
NASA has ordered a spacesuit from Axiom Space intended for use in Low Earth orbit, specifically for spacewalks outside the International Space Station. Axiom’s original contract was for the spacewalk system used by Artemis III astronauts on the lunar surface during their lunar landing. In March, Axiom unveiled a prototype of its original order, which showcased a suit with joints that allow users to move easily, and a helmet equipped with a light and HD camera.
Meanwhile, Collins Aerospace has received an order for a spacesuit intended for use on the surface of the moon. The company previously had a contract to develop a spacewalk suit for use outside the ISS. In other words, each company has received a new order that mirrors the other’s previous one. Lara Kearney, director of the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, said:
“These mission orders will allow NASA to succeed if the additional capabilities are necessary or beneficial to NASA’s missions as the agency paves the way for deep space exploration and the commercialization of low-Earth orbit. With this competitive approach, we will increase redundancy, expand future capabilities, and further invest in the space economy.”
Redundancy is an important part of the development of space technology. In this case, spacesuits developed by two different companies for the same purpose could ensure that the astronauts have a use if one fails for some reason. However, the new mission orders are for the companies’ initial “design change work” — essentially repurposing their original suits for a new purpose — and NASA wants to see those first before committing to their continued development. Axiom told SpaceNews that if NASA decides to go through with development of the new spacesuits, the entire order will cost the agency $142 million over four years.
