NASA's next space suit for Artemis has out-of-this-world mobility

"Launching as early as March for a long-planned there-and-back lunar flyby, NASA's Artemis II mission will bring four astronauts closer to the moon than any humans have been in more than 50 years. Merely traveling so far from Earth is a feat all its own, but the mission is in some ways already overshadowed by its planned follow-up, Artemis III, which is meant to take crew members to the moon's surface to kick off a new, 21st-century era of lunar science and exploration."

"A space suit isn't so much an outfit as an anthropomorphic spacecraft. One designed for lunar surface operations must protect astronauts from perilous cosmic radiation, extreme temperatures, lung-clogging moon dust and the harsh vacuum of space. It must also carry its own supply of air, as well as water for cooling (and the occasional sip), while also having room for carrying equipment astronauts might need while in orbit or exploring other worlds."

Artemis II will send four astronauts on a there-and-back lunar flyby, bringing humans closer to the moon than in over 50 years. Artemis III aims to land crew on the lunar surface to begin a renewed era of lunar science and exploration. Lunar surface suits must guard against cosmic radiation, extreme temperatures, lung-clogging lunar dust and vacuum, while providing air, cooling water, and storage for tools. Designing suits that preserve mobility and functionality is difficult but critical for longer deep-space stays, lunar stations, and surface outposts. Axiom Space developed the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), unveiled in 2024, and testing continues.

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