NASA introduced a new suit for landing on the moon: these suits will not return to Earth (photo)

On March 15, NASA, together with representatives from Axiom Space, presented a prototype of a new spacesuit in which astronauts will land on the moon in 2025 as part of the Artemis 3 mission. These suits are more flexible and fit to the body than those used by astronauts in the late 60s and early 70s of the last century when traveling on the lunar surface. Also, the new suits are more suitable for women, and these space suits will never return to Earth after the flight, writes The Guardian.

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According to NASA’s plan, by the end of 2025, four astronauts will fly to the moon as part of the Artemis 3 mission, and two of them will land on the surface of the Moon. As part of this mission, it is planned for the first time that a female and non-Caucasian astronaut will fly. For example, all 12 astronauts who landed on the moon from 1969 to 1972 as part of the Apollo program were white men.

The new spacesuit developed by Axiom Space for NASA is called AxEMU and is not as bulky and uncomfortable as the ones used in the first landings on Earth’s satellite. The new suit has been significantly improved, making the astronauts feel more comfortable inside, more form-fitting, more comfortable and more flexible. And most importantly, the new suits are suitable for women to wear. In addition, the new suits use an improved life support system that will improve the safety of astronauts on the moon.

The suits shown are black with orange and blue accents, but Axiom Space said that unlike the prototype, the actual spacesuits will be white to reflect bright sunlight. Thus, astronauts will be better protected from the heat of solar radiation to the South Pole of the Moon, where the first human landing will take place in 50 years.

While it is not known exactly who will fly to the Moon as part of the Artemis 3 mission, the crew of the Orion spacecraft, which will go to the Moon in the fall of 2024, will come within the scope of the Artemis 2 mission. It became known only in April this year. This flight will be a kind of training before putting the astronauts on the moon in 2 years.

In addition, in the presentation of the space suits, it was learned that the space suits of the first astronauts to the Moon in the 21st century will remain in satellite orbit forever and will never return to Earth. According to Axiom Space officials, astronauts orbiting the moon will transfer from the Orion spacecraft to the lander, spend some time there, and then return to orbit. Moreover, only two astronauts will go down and the other two will be waiting for them in space.

Because the Orion spacecraft has its own weight limitations, astronauts will have to leave their spacesuits on board the ship they take off from the Moon and wear lighter suits to return to Earth. The fact is that the astronauts will get aboard some lunar soil and possibly additional equipment. All this will increase the payload, which can be reduced by getting rid of the spacesuits. But maybe NASA engineers will come up with something and the first spacesuits to visit the Moon in the 21st century will still return to Earth.

Focus He has already written about the results of the Artemis 1 mission, published by NASA, where he learned of some of the problems that occurred with the Orion spacecraft and launch vehicle. We remind you that during this mission, an uncrewed spacecraft circumnavigated the Moon and returned to Earth. Astronauts will do the same during the Artemis 2 mission, which, as is known, should begin in November next year.

Moreover Focus He wrote that scientists are actively looking for a way to protect astronauts’ spacesuits and themselves from the negative effects of lunar dust. The results of a recent experiment show that it is an effective way that can guarantee almost 100% protection.