The US space agency NASA has announced that it has selected Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace for the development and production of the new spacesuits that will be used for the Artemis program on the Moon and in extra-vehicular activities on the International Space Station.
For the creation of space suits, NASA has decided to rely on the private sector of the space industry, given the success of commercial programs such as refueling and the transport of human beings to the International Space Station.
“With these awards, NASA and our partners will develop advanced, reliable spacesuits that allow humans to explore the cosmos unlike ever before. By partnering with industry, we are efficiently advancing the necessary technology to keep Americans on a path of successful discovery on the International Space Station and as we set our sights on exploring the lunar surface.” said Vanessa Wyche, director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA experts have defined the technical and safety standards under which the spacesuits will be built, and the selected companies have agreed to meet these key agency requirements. Business partners will be responsible for the design, development, qualification, certification and production of spacesuits and related support equipment.
The xEVAS contract, which is based on indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity delivery goals, has a combined maximum potential value of $ 3.5 billion for all orders. The first suits ordered will be used for various tests outside the ISS and on the lunar surface during the Artemis III mission.