NASA's New Spacesuit Makes Many Improvements But Astronauts Will Still Need Diapers

NASA's first update to spacesuits in decades has kept all space enthusiasts on edge. The new spacesuits are designed to support astronauts who will land on the Moon for the first time in 50 years as part of NASA's Artemis 3 mission that is expected to take off in 2025.

The new suit is developed by a private space company called Axiom that began making it only last year, but the suit has been under development by NASA for quite some time now. Current spacesuits have a lot of issues, especially limited mobility, which definitely would get in the way of Moon exploration.

NASA

There was another issue with the previous generation of spacesuits. They were designed keeping men in mind and barely accounted for women's specific needs. In fact, in 2019, NASA cancelled the first-ever all-female spacewalk due to spacesuit issues, but later making it happen with astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir.

What does the new NASA spacesuit have?

In September 2022, NASA asked Axiom to design a new suit, and the first prototype is finally here. The version that debuted on Wednesday appeared more mobile, with the engineer wearing the suit demonstrating the ability to walk, bend at the waist, kneel down - all actions intrinsic to exploration on the Moon.

Axiom/ Twitter @JimFree

Rocking a hatch design, the suit opens up like a backpack and allows the astronaut to settle inside it. It is also home to the life support system, something Axiom claims they've completely revamped.

Have you seen the new #Artemis III spacesuits? Today, @Axiom_Space unveiled the spacesuit prototype of the suits the next moonwalkers plan to wear on the lunar surface. Take a look and learn how @NASA is building a robust lunar economy: https://t.co/qoMYlWsg7l pic.twitter.com/9zXQ9722Zi

¡ª Jim Free (@JimFree) March 15, 2023

Also read: NASA Will Build New Spacecraft To Safely Disintegrate The International Space Station

An important aspect of the revamped spacesuit is the water membrane evaporator that provides cooling to the suit avionics as well to the astronaut. In addition, the suits will come in a variety of sizes, with individual parts designed to be adjustable to all body types.

NASA

The spacesuit also has a flight insulation layer that provides "cut resistance, puncture resistance, thermal insulation, and a variety of other other other features," explained Axiom's Extravehicular Activity deputy programme manager, Russell Ralston.

The spacesuit would also have a high-definition camera on the helmet complemented by a visor that's placed further back to enable better visibility. Such features were already conceived by NASA over the last few years.

Also read: New Video Shows Off NASA's Magic Cup That Doesn't Spill Liquids In Space

Axiom / Twitter @JimFree

What about pooping?

However, astronauts would still have to poop inside the suits. "Yeah, we¡¯re still using diapers in the spacesuit," Ralston said. "They¡¯re just honestly a very effective solution. Sometimes simplicity is best."

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