Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit

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Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons practicing lunar tasks while wearing AxEMU spacesuit

Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) is a spacesuit being developed by Axiom Space for use on the NASA-led Artemis program missions to the Moon.[1][2][3]

The suit is designed for astronaut activities on the lunar surface, providing life support, mobility, and environmental protection during extravehicular activity. It is intended to operate in the temperature, dust, and radiation conditions expected during Artemis missions.[4]

History

Design and development

AxEMU incorporates a modular architecture and updated components derived from NASA spacesuit development programs. According to Axiom Space, the design is intended to increase astronaut mobility and support maintenance and component replacement.[5]

Axiom Space collaborated with Italian fashion house Prada on the exterior design of the suit and the associated Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), which is worn beneath the pressure garment assembly.[6]

Ground testing

NASA began testing the AxEMU at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at Johnson Space Center in 2025. In 2026, Axiom Space unveiled the LCVG, while testing of the garment and the suit's primary life-support system continued at Johnson Space Center.[6][7]

Flight testing

NASA plans to conduct an in-space demonstration of the AxEMU aboard the International Space Station in 2027, where the suit could be used during a spacewalk. NASA also plans to fly an AxEMU on Artemis III, where astronauts are expected to conduct hardware interface evaluations with at least one commercial lunar lander.[7]

Planned operational use

The suit is planned for use on future Artemis lunar missions. As of 2026, Artemis IV, planned for 2028, is expected to be the first Artemis mission to attempt a crewed lunar landing and the first mission to use the AxEMU on the lunar surface.[8][9]

References

  1. "AxEMU". Axiom Space. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  2. Hrinko, Ivan (April 15, 2026). "NASA's new spacesuits will undergo their first trial run as early as 2027". Universe Space Tech. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  3. Ugalde, Victoria (February 12, 2026). "NASA Moon Mission Spacesuit Nears Milestone". NASA. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  4. "Axiom Space, KBR Successfully Complete First Uncrewed Thermal Vacuum Test of Next-Generation Spacesuit". Axiom Space (Press release). Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  5. Foust, Jeff (April 14, 2026). "Axiom Space Plans 2027 Flight Test of Spacesuit". SpaceNews. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  6. Friedman, Vanessa (June 9, 2026). "Artemis Astronauts to Wear Prada Spacesuits". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  7. Parsons, Jeremy (June 9, 2026). Artemis III Announcement (Video). NASA. Event occurs at 15:54. Retrieved June 10, 2026 – via YouTube. Our spacesuit provider, Axiom Space, is making great progress as well. We have suit testing ongoing regularly at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab down the road here in Houston. Pressure garments worn under the suit are fully assembled and undergoing testing, and the components of the suit's primary life support system are in hand and being integrated. We are going to fly the spacesuit aboard the International Space Station to check it out in 2027, and we will perform hardware interface checkouts on at least one lander in a spacesuit during Artemis III.
  8. Rabie, Passant (April 15, 2026). "Axiom Space Is Ready to Test Its Next-Generation Spacesuit in 2027". Gizmodo. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  9. Daleo, Jack (July 10, 2025). "Axiom Completes Initial Crew Testing of Next-Generation Spacesuits". Flying. Retrieved May 5, 2026.