Image Citation: (1)
Written by Karunmay Aggarwal ‘28
Edited by Shivam Kogar ‘27
As humanity sets its sights on returning to the Moon and pushing further into deep space, the spacesuits that protect astronauts are undergoing a much-needed transformation. For over half a century, spacesuits have served as miniature spacecraft, allowing astronauts to perform extravehicular activities (EVAs) in the vacuum of space. Now, new advancements promise more mobility, safety, and adaptability as we prepare for missions that go beyond low Earth orbit.
The Legacy of Apollo and the Aging EMUs
Spacesuit technology first captured the world’s attention during the Apollo missions. The Apollo A7L suit, used by astronauts who walked on the Moon, was a marvel of 1960s engineering. It protected the wearer from radiation, micrometeorites, and extreme temperatures. Yet, the suit was cumbersome, limiting mobility and requiring astronauts to endure the discomfort of a bulky, pressurized outfit. As space travel evolved, so did spacesuit design. The next big leap came in 1981 with NASA’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), which has since been the standard for spacewalks outside the International Space Station (ISS).
Despite their impressive history, NASA's spacesuits are showing their age. The EMUs currently in use were designed for the Space Shuttle program over 40 years ago, and only a handful remain functional. NASA’s attempts to develop next-generation suits have faced setbacks, including a 2021 report revealing the project was behind schedule and over budget. Several safety issues have compounded the problem, including an incident in 2013 where astronaut Luca Parmitano nearly drowned during a spacewalk when his helmet filled with water (2).
Figure 1. New Axiom spacesuits (1)
The Cutting-Edge of Spacesuit Design
Recent breakthroughs in spacesuit development offer a glimpse into a more versatile and efficient future. NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2025, spurred the need for new EVA suits. To accelerate the process, NASA awarded contracts to commercial companies Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace in a bid to develop the next generation of spacesuits.
Axiom Space is building the spacesuits (Fig. 1) for Artemis III, which will be used in the first crewed lunar landing since 1972 n 2026. These new suits are designed to allow astronauts to stay on the Moon's surface for extended periods, with enhanced mobility to explore harsh, sunless areas near the lunar south pole. Axiom is focused on modular designs, offering a better range of motion and fitting a wider range of body types than ever before, accommodating 99% of astronauts (3).
SpaceX, on the other hand, has forged its own path with its innovative Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA) suit, already in use aboard its Crew Dragon spacecraft. Designed by Hollywood costume designer José Fernández, SpaceX’s IVA suit stands out for its sleek, minimalist look—more superhero than astronaut. But this suit is more than just good-looking; it's highly functional, offering custom fit, improved dexterity, and integration with the spacecraft’s life support systems through a single umbilical connection. SpaceX, more recently, developed a more advanced Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) suit for its Polaris Dawn mission, that was used to conduct a spacewalk at an altitude of 700 kilometers—pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight even further (4,5).
Making spacesuits for everyone is an enduring goal for these companies as spacesuits, until now, have been made for Caucasian white men, and other astronauts have had to deal with that. Making spacesuits modular, that is in parts, allows them to be altered for more astronauts, allowing even more people the opportunity to go to space (5).
The Future of Spacesuits: Mars and Beyond
As we prepare for longer missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, spacesuit technology must continue to evolve. The future of spacesuits will need to account for harsh environments like the Martian surface, where fine dust, intense radiation, and temperature extremes present unique challenges. The dust, in particular, is a major concern, as it can infiltrate fabric and electronics, potentially compromising astronaut safety. NASA’s Artemis spacesuits are already incorporating lessons learned from the Apollo missions, such as advanced dust protection and improved radiation shielding (6).
Radiation protection will be critical for astronauts venturing into deep space, where exposure to cosmic rays is much higher than in low Earth orbit. Future suits may integrate new materials like polyethylene, which offer excellent protection against radiation, while still being lightweight enough for extended use. SpaceX, known for pushing the limits of innovation, is expected to play a key role in these advancements as it develops suits for Mars missions (6).
Commercial companies are poised to revolutionize the spacesuit industry. With space tourism on the rise and countries outside traditional space powers like the U.S. and Russia entering the field, affordable, versatile suits will be in demand. Companies like Final Frontier Design are developing suits that can be produced at a fraction of the cost of traditional spacesuits, aiming to open space travel to a wider audience.
From the first moonwalks in Apollo suits to today’s sophisticated EVA suits, the spacesuit has been an essential tool for space exploration. As we embark on the next chapter of human spaceflight—returning to the Moon, exploring Mars, and welcoming a new era of commercial space travel—the spacesuits of tomorrow will play a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With advancements in mobility, safety, and customization, spacesuits are not just keeping pace with human ambition; they are driving it forward.
References
1. Axiom. Available from: axiomspace.com
2. Chang EYW. Fashion styling and design aesthetics in spacesuit: An evolution review in 60 Years from 1960 to 2020. Acta Astronautica. 2021 Jan;178:117–28.
3. I Tested NASA’s New Space Suit (Ft. Axiom Space) [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 20]. (Huge If True). Available from: https://youtu.be/FerFv7BZAwo
4. Jones A. How SpaceX built a new spacesuit for Polaris Dawn’s private spacewalk. Space.com [Internet]. 2024 Sep 11 [cited 2024 Sep 20]; Available from: https://www.space.com/spacex-new-eva-spacewalking-spacesuit-video
5. Polaris Dawn [Internet]. Website Presentation presented at; [cited 2024 Sep 20]. Available from: https://polarisprogram.com/dawn/
6. Koren M. The Original Sin of NASA Space Suits. The Atlantic [Internet]. 2019 Mar 27 [cited 2024 Sep 20]; Available from: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/03/nasa-spacesuit-women-spacewalk/585805/
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