NASA, Axiom Space showcase sleeker spacesuits for Artemis III Moon Surface Mission

US space agency NASA and its partner Axiom Space showcased on Wednesday new spacesuits designed for the Artemis III Moon Surface Mission, currently planned for 2025. The more flexible and advanced spacesuits were unveiled during an event at the Space Center Houston in Texas. 'NASA's partnership with Axiom is critical to landing astronauts on the Moon and continuing American leadership in space. Building on NASA's years of research and expertise, Axiom's next generation spacesuits will not only enable the first woman to walk on the Moon, but they will also open opportunities for more people to explore and conduct science on the Moon than ever before,' said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. According to the space agency, 'Artemis III will land astronauts, including the first woman, on the Moon to advance long-term lunar exploration and scientific discovery, and inspire the Artemis Generation.' NASA said it selected Axiom Space to deliver the moonwalking system, including the spacesuit, for the mission. 'Called the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or AxEMU, the spacesuit builds on NASA's spacesuit prototype developments and incorporates the latest technology, enhanced mobility, and added protection from hazards at the Moon,' it said. 'NASA experts defined the technical and safety standards by which the spacesuits will be built, and Axiom Space agreed to meet these key agency requirements,' the agency said, adding that the AxEMU 'features the range of motion and flexibility needed to explore more of the lunar landscape.' The new spacesuit 'will fit a broad range of crew members, accommodating at least 90 percent of the US male and female population,' NASA said. 'With Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term, sustainable lunar presence to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before and prepare for future astronaut missions to Mars.'