posted 12-08-2022 03:23 PM               

NASA Taps Collins Aerospace to Develop New Space Station Spacesuits

NASA has awarded a task order to Collins Aerospace to deliver a spacewalking system for potential use outside the International Space Station.

This award – the second under NASA's Exploration EVA Services contract – is for design and development of a next-generation spacesuit and support systems. The task order has a base value of $97.2 million.

Collins Aerospace will complete a critical design review and demonstrate use of the suit on Earth in a simulated space environment by January 2024. NASA will have the option to extend the contract for a demonstration with agency crew members outside the space station by April 2026.

With this second award for a new suit and system, NASA is another step closer to a replacement for the current design used by NASA astronauts for decades during space shuttle and space station missions. The new suit will support continued station maintenance and operations as NASA and its international partners continue to perform scientific research that benefit humanity and is crucial to future Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars.

"We look forward to obtaining another much-needed service under our contract," said Lara Kearney, manager of the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, which manages the spacesuit contract. "By working with industry, NASA is able to continue its over 22-year legacy of maintaining a presence in low-Earth orbit."

Under the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, both Collins Aerospace, as well as Axiom, which was awarded an initial task order award for Artemis suits, provided proposals to meet both station and Artemis requirements. Both vendors will continue to compete for future task orders which include recurring services for station spacewalks and moonwalks beyond Artemis III.

Collins will be responsible for the design, development, qualification, certification, and production of its station spacesuits and support equipment to meet NASA's key requirements. The agency will continue to maintain the authority to manage astronaut training, spacewalk planning, and approval of the service systems.

posted 12-08-2022 04:01 PM               

ILC Dover Further Advancing Next Generation Spacesuit Development for Low Earth Orbit Economy

The Collins Aerospace team awarded NASA task order to build next generation spacesuit for the International Space Station

ILC Dover, the leading provider of spacesuit pressure garments and components since the Apollo era, announced it, as part of the Collins Aerospace-led team, will support the second task order under NASA's Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) Contract, which has a base value of $97.2 million. Tasked with producing the next generation spacesuits for the International Space Station (ISS), this achievement is among several new ventures ILC Dover has embarked upon as an industry-leading supplier, offering a variety of solutions for the next generation space economy including spacecraft landing systems, inflatable habitats, for use in low-Earth orbit, deep space, and lunar/planetary exploration.

"This is an exciting moment as we continue to be a part of history. ILC Dover is fueling the next generation space economy by designing and manufacturing spacesuits for the future of low Earth orbit and will have the ability to be outfitted for missions on the Lunar surface and beyond," said Corey Walker, CEO of ILC Dover. "Our teams are honored to embark upon this journey as they were decades ago when ILC Dover designed and manufactured the Apollo 11 spacesuit used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts."

The new spacesuits utilize the Company's Astro spacesuit architecture to provide a unique design that offers improved comfort and mobility, fewer components, and reduced mass, and can be retrofitted for Lunar or Planetary exploration. Among an industry-leading team, the Company will provide the pressure garment, while Collins Aerospace, the prime contractor, will supply the portable life support system (PLSS) and Oceaneering will supply the tools.

"We are honored to continue being the spacesuit provider for the International Space Station (ISS) and are ready to support humans' next steps in space exploration and expansion," said Patty Stoll, President of Space Systems at ILC Dover. "Leveraging our experience of over 3,000 hours of spacewalks, our spacesuit will provide even more support for our astronauts and ensure their safety while performing missions outside of the ISS."

This award furthers ILC Dover's industry-leading position as the supplier of choice for space-grade engineered soft solutions, from spacesuits and inflatable habitats to landing bags. Steeped in a deep tradition of safety, ILC Dover's experts understand how to deliver soft solutions that exceed expectations.

posted 02-01-2024 10:41 PM               

Collins Aerospace announces developmental milestone of next-generation spacesuit

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, with partners ILC Dover and Oceaneering, completed the Crew Capability Assessment test, a key step in the design process on its next-generation spacesuit for the International Space Station, under NASA's Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services, or xEVAS, contract.

The Collins team validated suit performance in a manufactured zero-gravity environment onboard an aircraft, performing a series of demonstrations performed by experienced former NASA astronauts. The primary objectives of the flight test included evaluation of the suit's pressure garment system fit and functionality, use of International Space Station tools and interfaces, and reviewed performance of the new Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or EMU, against the current design.

"The test allowed us to examine specific objectives of the design that can support a broad range of crewmember sizes and crew tasks in a controlled environment," said Peggy Guirgis, general manager, Space Systems, for Collins Aerospace.

"ILC Dover's pressure garment design leverages decades of innovation and experience to fit more astronauts than ever before, ensuring the safety and comfort of the next generation of space explorers," said Rob Reed, president of Space & Engineered Solutions at ILC Dover. "The successful test signals that we're one step closer to sustaining human life in space with the most advanced spacesuit yet."

Collins' next-generation suit is lighter weight and lower volume than NASA's current spacesuit. Its open architecture design will allow the suit to be easily modified as missions change or technology becomes more advanced. The company has engaged with current and former astronauts to guide engineering and design choices.

Ahead of a critical design review, additional evaluations are scheduled including a thermal vacuum test and an underwater test to be held at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Texas.