A 50/50 split in terms of design
Houston-based Axiom Space signed a $228.5 million contract with NASA in June of last year to design, build, and test the new Moon suits and supporting systems. NASA needs the suits to be ready for its upcoming Artemis 3 mission, which is expected to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon in late 2025.
That’s not a lot of time, but Axiom didn’t have to start the project from scratch. Speaking yesterday at the Moon suit unveiling, Axiom chief Michael Suffredini said roughly half of the the suit’s design comes from previous work done by NASA and the other half by Axiom Space and its partners. “We’re carrying on NASA’s legacy by designing an advanced spacesuit that will allow astronauts to operate safely and effectively on the Moon,” he said in an Axiom press release.
