Axiom Space Is Ready to Test Its Next-Generation Spacesuit in 2027

In keeping up with the Artemis program’s expedited timeline, Axiom Space said it’s prepared to test its new spacesuits during an upcoming trip to low Earth orbit. During a briefing at the 41st Space Symposium on Monday, company executives announced that they are almost finished with the critical design review of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, SpaceNews reported. Axiom Space is preparing to certify the next-generation spacesuit’s use in space in 2027, either on the International Space Station (ISS) or during the upcoming Artemis 3 mission. NASA tasked Axiom Space with designing the first moonwalking spacesuits since the Apollo program, which will be worn by astronauts on the lunar surface as part of the agency’s Artemis missions. In 2023, the company unveiled the AxEMU spacesuit under its initial $228.5 million contract. Earlier this year, Axiom Space completed its internal review of the new spacesuits and was in the process of testing AxEMU with NASA astronauts and engineers using simulated surface operations and tasks. NASA announced in February that it is evaluating whether AxEMU is ready to be worn by astronauts during the Artemis 3 mission, which has