Axiom Space will make new spacesuits for NASA’s lunar exploration mission

NASA has selected Axiom Space to design the spacesuits for the Artemis III mission, which will land Americans on the surface of the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. This is the first competitive contract award to include an order to develop the next generation Artemis spacesuit and support systems, announced NASA.

Thus, NASA has taken another step toward returning astronauts to the Moon as part of the Artemis program, which was launched to support continued scientific research that will benefit humanity on Earth. As part of the planned manned lunar missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon.

After reviewing bids from two eligible spacesuit suppliers, NASA selected Axiom Space for the order, which has a base cost of $228.5 million. In the future, Axiom Space will be tasked with competing for recurring spacesuit manufacturing services to support subsequent missions.

“NASA is proud to partner with commercial industry on this historic mission that will kickstart the United States building a lasting presence on the surface of the Moon,” said Lara Kearney, manager of NASA’s Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility program. “What we learn on Artemis III and future missions on and around the Moon will pave the way for missions to Mars. Spacesuits enable us to literally take that next step”.

With more than 50 years of spacesuit experience, NASA has defined the technical and safety requirements for the next generation of spacesuits. Axiom Space will be responsible for the design, development, qualification, certification and production of its spacesuits and support equipment to meet these key requirements. NASA experts will maintain authority over astronaut training, mission planning and maintenance systems approval.