Moustache Johnny
We’re going back to the moon or going for the first time, depending on your conspiracy theory beliefs. Either way, The Artemis Program will be putting astronauts on the moon. The new mission and technological advances mean new gear. The Culture Curators love gear, whether it be for this planet or others. NASA has just unveiled the newest generation of spacesuits for the Artemis Program.
Called xEMU, the new suits draw inspiration from current designs used on the International Space Station. However they boast some upgrades needed to handle the more demanding requirements beyond the “standard” spacewalk. Maneuverability and flexibility are focal points as astronauts prepare to explore beyond the ISS and onto the moon or, eventually, other planets. After a recent issue with the limited size options of current space suits, NASA claims that the xEMU can be fitted to astronauts of almost any size: “We can fit anywhere from the first percentile female to the 99th percentile male,” said Amy Ross, a NASA spacesuit designer.
The Artemis Program!
Utilizing a more pliable suit and a variety of different sized parts, the suit has the ability to adjust at the shoulder. This lets astronauts with drastically different measurements use the same suits, and do it comfortably. Taking notes from the previous lunar adventures, NASA also had some fixes for the outside of the sit as well. The xEMU is extremely resistant to fine lunar dust, which caused Apollo crews several problems when it was stuck to their suits. To prevent this, NASA has removed any zippers or cables on the xEMU, and completely sealed off the main components. The agency also says that the new spacesuits can withstand extreme temperatures, withstanding up to 250 Fahrenheit and as low as -250 Fahrenheit.
The xEMU is still being fine-tuned, but NASA says it will be mission-ready by 2024. A major review of the design in 2021 should finalize the development process. The commercial space industry will be tapped for outsourced production after NASA produces its two suits for the Artemis Program.
