NASA’s next-generation lunar spacesuit has passed a critical internal review by contractor Axiom Space, moving the Artemis III mission one step closer to putting boots back on the Moon. The AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit) is now being evaluated by NASA to determine if the design is ready for final testing and eventual delivery for the historic mission to the Moon’s South Pole.
Designed for the harsh lunar environment, the AxEMU offers astronauts increased flexibility and mobility compared to previous generations. The suit allows for a greater range of motion, enabling crew members to bend down, collect geology samples, and perform complex scientific tasks with ease. It also features adjustable sizing options to accommodate a wider variety of body types, along with advanced life-support systems and enhanced protection against lunar dust and temperature extremes.
“The completion of their internal review brings Axiom Space one step closer to delivering a next-generation lunar spacesuit,” said Lara Kearney, manager of the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “This achievement reflects our shared commitment to deliver a safe, capable lunar spacesuit that will enable astronauts to explore the Moon’s surface.”
To date, NASA and Axiom have conducted more than 850 hours of pressurized testing with test subjects inside the suit. Recent evaluations included underwater simulations at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where the suit was weighted to mimic lunar gravity. These tests allowed astronauts and engineers to assess mobility and functionality while performing simulated surface tasks in a 40-foot-deep pool.
Additional testing is underway at Johnson’s Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) facility, which uses an overhead lift system to simulate the Moon’s one-sixth gravity. Engineers are evaluating how test subjects perform tasks at different suit pressure levels, with higher pressures shown to reduce acclimation time—potentially allowing astronauts more time for surface exploration during missions.
NASA is leveraging more than five decades of spacesuit expertise to establish the technical and safety requirements for the AxEMU. At each development milestone, the agency verifies that the design minimizes risk to crew members. A forthcoming NASA-led critical design sync review will confirm that all hardware and systems are on track for final testing and delivery.
Meanwhile, Axiom Space has begun receiving components for the first flight unit, which is scheduled for assembly this spring. The company is also developing specialized tools to aid astronauts in collecting geological samples and performing other tasks on the lunar surface.
The AxEMU is a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis campaign, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. These new suits, along with advanced landers and rovers, will enable astronauts to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before, paving the way for future human missions to Mars.
