NASA Requires Development of Gloves and Footwear withstanding Lunar Extreme Cold
Spacesuit Showdown: The Lunar Longevity Test
The race is on to prepare futuristic spacesuits for the chilly landscapes of the Moon, as NASA gears up for a new lunar adventure. The high-stakes testing is currently underway at the Cryogenic Ice Testing, Acquisition Development, and Excavation Laboratory, or CITADEL, housed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
As our eyes turn to the Moon once more, the question on everyone's mind is, "Can we stay warm?" CITADEL's primary objective is to evaluate the durability and performance of next-generation spacesuits in the harsh, cold environment of the lunar south pole. Specifically, engineers are focusing on glove and boot performance, since these extremities make prolonged contact with freezing surfaces and tools.
The colossal, 4-feet tall and 5-feet wide CITADEL isn't your average cryogenic facility. It blasts temperatures as low as -370 Fahrenheit (-223 Celsuis) using compressed helium, making it one of the coolest labs around (pun intended). The chamber takes several days to chill to its optimal temperature, and a single opening can trigger a lengthy cooling process. To prevent this issue, CITADEL is equipped with four load locks, enabling test materials to be swapped without disrupting the chamber's chilly vacuum state.
Inside CITADEL, a robotic arm grabs and manipulates test materials, while cameras capture the entire testing process in visible and infrared light. To mimic the Moon's conditions, the engineers will also simulate lunar abrasion and deploy a regolith-like material in the chamber, as well as aluminum blocks to act as tools.
Previously, NASA would put astronauts themselves in the freezer for thermal tests, asking them to insert their gloved hands into a chilled glove box and maintain contact with an icy object. Today, the team employs a custom-built manikin hand and foot for testing inside CITADEL. The manikin's extremities mimic the flow of warm blood through the appendages, while temperature and heat flux sensors gather data from within the gloves and boots.
In the past, NASA's earlier spacesuit gloves struggled in the cold lunar environment, and the same appears to be the case for the current gloves being tested in CITADEL. The results indicate that the gloves will not meet the thermal requirements of the lunar south pole, leaving the team to reassess and find suitable alternatives.
As the Artemis 3 mission, slated for 2027, draws near, an exciting fashion evolution awaits the astronauts. Axiom Space has been commissioned to create the first moonwalking spacesuits since the Apollo missions, resulting in the remarkable AxEMU (short for Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit). This design incorporates Apollo legacy with advanced technology, allowing astronauts greater freedom of movement and enhanced protection against the lunar terrain. To add a touch of style, Axiom Space collaborated with Prada, a renowned fashion house, to tap into their expertise in design and materials.
The ongoing CITADEL testing will help NASA evaluate and refine criteria for their new, stylish AxEMU spacesuits, ensuring that the astronauts exploring the lunar south pole remain cozy even in the darkest, coldest craters. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling lunar fashion showdown!
- The future of space exploration is taking a significant leap as NASA prepares for the Artemis 3 mission in 2027, collaborating with Axiom Space to design advanced spacesuits, the AxEMU.
- The testing of the next-generation spacesuits, including the AxEMU, is ongoing at CITADEL, a cutting-edge lab that simulates the harsh, cold environment of the lunar south pole.
- As engineers focus on the performance of gloves and boots in the lunar environment, they are also incorporating science and technology in the design of the AxEMU to ensure durability and flexibility.
- In the race to enhance the technologies for space exploration, the future of space-and-astronomy, and fashion collaborations, the AxEMU spacesuits, inspired by Apollo's legacy and Prada's design, promise innovative solutions for astronauts' comfort and safety on the Moon.
