NASA's doing some great things. Capturing pictures of Saturn, finding signs of possible life in our solar system, and even preparing to build a space outpost, but not everything is going as smoothly. In fact, NASA is facing a critical shortage in its supply of space suits to outfit astronauts.
US astronaut Terry Virts tweeted this image after a series of spacewalks in 2015 - Images courtesy: NASA
In addition, NASA is also running out of the space suits it does have ready for astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), known as Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMU). The report states that only 11 of the 18 original suits developed are still in use.
Developed more than 40 years ago, the EMUs protect astronauts from the harsh environment of space, including providing an oxygen supply and temperature control. Aside from maintaining these suits, NASA has also been funding development of three new types of suits ¨C the Constellation Space Suit System ($135.6 million), Advanced Space Suit Project ($51.6 million), and Orion Crew Survival System ($12 million). This also involves testing the more advanced space suits before the ISS is retired in 2024.
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy checks on EMUs aboard the space station
This is a significant problem according to NASA¡¯s Office of Inspector General (OIG) which worries the remaining suits may not last until the end of the ISS¡¯ lifespan, a problem that will ¡°escalate significantly¡± if ISS operations are extended to 2028.
Right now, NASA has plans to build a space outpost during the 2020¡¯s, with astronauts departing from there for a Mars exploration mission at some point in the 2030¡¯s. ¡°The lack of a formal plan and specific destinations for future missions has complicated spacesuit development,¡± OIG says in its report. ¡°Moreover, the Agency has reduced the funding dedicated to spacesuit development in favor of other priorities such as an in-space habitat.¡±?
The various main components of an EMU
Additionally, the OIG claims NASA may have also messed up by funding spacesuit development under the now-defunct Constellation Program, which was part of the agency¡¯s plan to return to the Moon, before it was cancelled in 2010. Yet, between 2011 and 2016, NASA continued to pour another $80 million into the program¡¯s spacesuit research, despite recommendations from officials to cease funding.
Given the report¡¯s findings, the OIG has recommended that NASA devise a more formal plan of action for the development and testing of new spacesuits, as well as comparing the cost of maintaining the current EMUs versus developing and testing a next-generation spacesuit. For its own part, NASA has agreed with the auditor¡¯s suggestions, and intends to implement the changes in plan by September this year.