AxEMU Development

An evolution of NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit design, the AxEMU provides increased flexibility, performance and safety, as well as specialized tools to support exploration of the lunar south pole. The suit is suitable for a wide range of crew members, including men and women from the first to the 99th percentile (anthropomorphic sizes). It can withstand the extreme temperatures at the Moon’s south pole and the coldest temperatures in the permanently shaded regions for at least two hours. Astronauts can perform spacewalks for at least eight hours.

The AxEMU includes multiple redundant systems and an onboard diagnostic system to ensure the safety of crew members. The suit also utilizes a renewable carbon dioxide purification system and robust cooling technology to remove heat from the system. It includes advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to improve astronauts’ visibility of their surroundings, as well as custom-made gloves manufactured in-house that feature several improvements over the gloves used today. The spacesuit architecture includes life support systems, pressurized clothing, avionics and other innovative systems to meet exploration needs and expand scientific capabilities.

Axiom Space developed the AxEMU using a single, fundamental architecture. The architecture is evolvable, scalable and adaptable for lunar surface and low Earth orbit (LEO) missions.

Axiom Space has been gradually improving this next-generation spacesuit over the past two years to support the Artemis III mission. The AxEMU has undergone extensive testing and simulations with a variety of astronauts and engineers at state-of-the-art facilities at Axiom Space, SpaceX and NASA. The tests were conducted underwater to simulate the lunar environment using an unoccupied spacesuit at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and with reduced gravity simulations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

The AxEMU suit is nearing the final stages of development. It completed a successful pressure simulation with Artemis III partners – NASA, SpaceX and Axiom Space – marking the first test of its kind since the Apollo era. It will continue to undergo testing, including manned underwater testing at the NBL facility, integrated testing with the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle prototypes, and will enter the critical design review phase in 2025.

For more information, visit www.axiomspace.com/axiom-suit.

###

ABOUT AXIOM SPACE
Axiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving space home that benefits every person, everywhere. As a leading provider of manned space services and developer of manned space infrastructure, Axiom Space today conducts end-to-end missions to the International Space Station while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low Earth orbit, supporting human growth off the planet and will bring home untold benefits. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

ABOUT PRADA
Prada has stood for innovative style since 1913. His intellectual universe combines concept, structure and image through codes that go beyond trends. His fashion goes beyond products and translates conceptuality into a universe that has become the benchmark for those who dare to challenge conventions focused on experimentation. The Prada brand is part of the Prada Group, a global leader in the luxury goods industry, which includes some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, including Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, the historic Pasticceria Marchesi and Luna Rossa.

For further information contact:

Axiom space
[email protected]

Prada press office
[email protected]