This is the new space suit that astronauts will use on the Moon (and how they were the first to be used)

The POT and the private aerospace company Axiom Space presented on Wednesday the new generation of space suits that astronauts will use for the next mission to the Moon: Artemis III.

The new design has special features to assist astronauts as they conduct scientific experiments on the Moon and it will be more flexible and resistant than the previous ones. Besides, was designed to better fit women.

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The new costumes are being prepared to be used for the first time in the Artemis III lunar missionscheduled for 2025, confirmed the POT.

The Artemis III mission will feature the first astronaut to set foot on the Moon.

In addition, the astronauts will arrive at the Moon’s South Pole, where “extreme” temperatures and “hostile” environmental conditions can be recorded.

BBC Mundo recalled that the space suits worn by American astronauts have not been completely redesigned since 1981.

This undated photo from Axiom Space shows the next-generation Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit. (AXIOM SPACE / AFP). (HANDOUT/)

A prototype made in six months

Last year the company Axiom Space landed a $228.5 million contract to design the suit, officially named Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU). Six months later he already has the first prototype.

Although the prototype of the suit presented in Texas, United States, is black, the final model will be whitetraditionally used color to reflect heat and protect astronauts from the temperatures in the harsh lunar environment.

Lara Kearney, of NASA’s Surface Human Mobility and Extravehicular Activity Program, said that the new suit will allow the astronauts much more “mobility”.

Chief Engineer Jim Stein wears the new spacesuit during the Axiom Space Artemis III Lunar Spacesuit event at the Space Center in Houston, Texas, on March 15, 2023. (Marcos Felix / AFP)

Composed of “a lot of layers”, the suit has a rear entrance through which the crew members will enter, as well as increased number of joints in legs and arms that grant greater flexibility with respect to the suits used 50 years ago during the missions of the Apollo program of the POTdetailed the EFE agency.

For his part, the president of Axiom Space, michael suffredinistressed that the suits are the result of a strategic alliance between the private firm and the experience of NASA.

”We continue the legacy of NASA by designing an advanced spacesuit that will allow astronauts to operate safely and effectively on the Moon”Suffredini said in a statement

Promise that the Artemis III mission suit “will be ready to face the complex challenges of the lunar south pole” and help in the goal of “a long-term presence there”.

Life support and HD camera

In addition to many protective layers, the new suit has a backpack with life support systems, lights, and a high-definition camera mounted on top of a bubble-shaped helmet. to allow videos from the Moon to be viewed in HD on Earth.

“Inside this box are all the parts and components necessary to keep you alive.” said Russell Ralston, deputy director of the extravehicular activity program at Axiom Space.

One of the inner layers is called the bladder, which holds air inside the spacesuit like a balloon.

Another insulating layer, made of different fabrics, protects astronauts from strong temperature fluctuations on the Moon, while the outer layer is designed to resist tears and dust, details the AFP agency.

In addition, the new space boots will have to withstand sub-zero temperatures from the south pole of the Moon.

Chief Engineer Jim Stein dons the new spacesuit boots during the Axiom Space Artemis III Lunar Spacesuit event at the Space Center in Houston, Texas, on March 15, 2023. (Marcos Félix / AFP)

russell ralston He explained that the engineers have spent a lot of time designing the gloves and that, thanks to innovative technologies, they will be able to handle a greater variety of tools.

Costume It was designed to be worn for up to eight hours straight.

United States missions to the Moon. (AFP).

National Geographic explains that the first space suits were designed to provide oxygen and a stable atmospheric pressure to the astronauts and what were they modeled after the pressurized suits worn by high-altitude aircraft pilots. Its structure allows astronauts to survive in space, withstand extreme temperatures and reduce the weight of the load.

The first space expedition in 1959. (Photo: NASA).

He adds that the first astronauts to land on the moon They had multi-layered space suits, capable of stopping micrometeorites at a speed of 105,000 kilometers per hour.

Their boot covers were capable of withstanding extreme temperatures ranging from 120 to -120 ºC.

The gloves were covered by a fine metal mesh that protected the material made of fiberglass and Teflon from the effects of corrosion.

Besides, each astronaut carried a life support system that provided cooling water, electricity, a communication system, and the necessary oxygen to stay four hours outside the lunar module without the need for resupply.

All the supplementary equipment increased the mass of each astronaut by 90 kilos, although on the Moon it was only equivalent in weight to about 15 kilos, details National Geographic.

Source: Elcomercio