|
Author
|
Topic: [Discuss] AxEMU spacesuit for Artemis III
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 03-15-2023 08:00 AM
   
Please use this topic to discuss Axiom Space's Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuits, which the company is furnishing for NASA's use on the Artemis III lunar landing mission. |
backof
Member Posts: 35
From: Katonah, NY USA
Registered: Oct 2005
|
posted 03-15-2023 12:05 PM
Did they say what the plan was to test the suit in space before Artemis III? |
Headshot
Member Posts: 1221
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
|
posted 03-15-2023 01:58 PM
This event felt like a poorly-written, 30-minute infomercial for Axiom space suits. They gave no metrics about how this new suit performed better and was safer, than the Apollo suits. They did not even state how many hours an astronaut could moonwalk in this suit as opposed to the old A7-LB Apollo suit. Would have been nice to see a mobility demo video of this suit, fully pressurized, in a vacuum chamber. Having someone walk around at 1 atmosphere, with a backpack sans PLSS, while attached to an A/C hose just did not cut it for me. At least the little headlights worked. I understand that there are proprietary issues that Axiom feels should be protected. But certainly NASA has measurable performance requirements for the new moon suit that could have been discussed. |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1815
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 03-15-2023 03:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Headshot:
This event felt like a poorly-written, 30-minute infomercial for Axiom space suits.
No different than this NASA puff piece.Stop holding the present era programs to higher standards than Apollo. You didn't get the Apollo data you are requesting until years and decades later with the books and then internet. quote:
Would have been nice to see a mobility demo video of this suit, fully pressurized, in a vacuum chamber.
Other than the safety implications, there is no difference in EVA suit mobility whether pressurized to 3.8 psia in a vacuum or 18.5 psia at 1 atm. All that matters is the differential, which is 3.8 psi in both cases. |
David C
Member Posts: 1397
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
|
posted 03-15-2023 03:44 PM
I’d like to see one of the old Apollo moonwalkers try it. But I suppose that's not reasonable, given their ages. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 03-15-2023 04:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by backof:
Did they say what the plan was to test the suit in space before Artemis III?
They said the suit will not be tested in space before Artemis III. The suit's design will be finalized in 2025, a few months before the mission is scheduled (as of today) to launch. NASA does not have a requirement for a suit to fly before Artemis III. quote:
Originally posted by Headshot:
They did not even state how many hours an astronaut could moonwalk in this suit...
The question was asked and answered during the later press session. We're designing the suit for a nominal eight-hour length. Certainly, in the right conditions, the suit could go longer than that. It's a step up from the current-day spacesuits. The current spacesuit is designed to six and half hours at what we call low metabolic rate — basically, how hard you're working in a suit. We designed this suit to a higher metabolic rate and eight hours, which is a pretty huge step up in performance in terms of EVA capability. quote:
Would have been nice to see a mobility demo video of this suit...
And that might still come. This event was billed as simply the unveiling of the new suit. There will be future events demonstrating its capabilities as the Artemis III mission nears. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1388
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 03-15-2023 05:26 PM
I wonder if the white will be a covering over this suit? There are overlapping gaps in the fabric at the hips, shoulders, and chest that are going to be big traps for lunar regolith. Given the frequency of motion in at least two of these areas, I would think the soil going to shred the fabric in short order. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 03-15-2023 05:51 PM
The white outer layer will be a different design than the black protective layer designed for Earth-use only. Axiom Space officials said today that the outer layer on the moon-bound suits will be bulked up in areas where they expected the most wear (like the knees) and may even feature tear-away layers, so the areas that see the most dust incursion can be cleared away. |
Headshot
Member Posts: 1221
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
|
posted 03-15-2023 06:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Behling:
You didn't get the Apollo data you are requesting until years and decades later with the books and then internet.
In actuality, some detailed technical information about the Apollo moon suit was given as early as February 1965 in Aviation Week & Space Technology. The information, including arm elevation, what metabolic rates the suit could handle and for how long, came from the prime contractor, Hamilton Standard. |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1815
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 03-16-2023 10:18 AM
That wasn't the actual suit, since the ILC suit wasn't selected until July. |
advertisement