As NASA advances towards the Artemis missions, astronauts are gearing up for the anticipated lunar walks—something that hasn’t occurred since the Apollo era in 1972. Astronauts are training with cutting-edge gear that includes newly designed rockets, spacecraft, landers, and spacesuits, all tailored for the upcoming Artemis missions.
NASA’s own Doug “Wheels” Wheelock and Axiom Space’s Peggy Whitson recently took part in a test while donned in Axiom Space-developed spacesuits. Their task involved interacting with SpaceX’s Starship HLS (Human Landing System) developmental hardware. Conducted on April 30, this marked a significant milestone as it was the first instance of astronauts wearing pressurized spacesuits working with a mockup of Starship HLS hardware.
According to Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s Moon to Mars program manager, Artemis represents a fresh approach to lunar exploration. The program invites international and industry partners, such as Axiom Space and SpaceX, to leverage their expertise in conjunction with NASA to ensure a collaborative effort for deep space missions. “These integrated tests ensure systems work well together and are secure for astronauts before we proceed to the actual Moon steps,” Kshatriya stated.
The in-person testing session at SpaceX’s base in Hawthorne, California, yielded substantial insights for NASA and its partners. Among the aspects under review were the Starship HLS’s design, including astronaut clearances, the operational aspects of mechanical assemblies, and the suits’ mobility capabilities.
Wheelock and Whitson started their test inside a life-size airlock, proceeding to suit up with the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit) spacesuits. They utilized an external system for suit pressurization, which not only supplied air but also granted electrical power, cooling, and communication functions. In addition, each suit was equipped with a mockup Portable Life Support System backpack. Goals included determining how easily astronauts can don and doff their suits with minimal assistance.
Additional evaluations included assessing handrails and other mobility aids that would facilitate hatch navigation. NASA and SpaceX engineers also observed the astronauts’ ability to use control panels while suited, focusing on the dexterity allowed by the AxEMU gloves.
Logan Kennedy, HLS Program’s lead for surface activities, expressed satisfaction with the astronauts’ proficiency with the equipment, emphasizing that the airlock dimensions and content are well-suited to the activities planned on the lunar surface.
A significant part of the astronauts’ activities included navigating from the airlock deck to the elevator mockup. The Artemis missions will rely on this elevator system to transport astronauts to and from the Moon’s surface. Both Whitson and Wheelock tested actions necessary for moonwalk preparations, including manipulating the ramp that will ultimately lead to their first steps on lunar soil.
This round of tests, though seemingly small in the confines of a mockup Starship interior, is a leap forward in preparing a new chapter of human lunar exploration. what we do.
For Artemis III, SpaceX is tasked with docking the Starship HLS with NASA’s Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit, transporting astronauts to the Moon’s surface. Providing the updated spacesuits for these missions is Axiam Space, designed to accommodate a broader range of astronaut physiques.
Through the Artemis program, NASA endeavors to widen its lunar exploratory scope, developing systems for sustainable living on foreign celestial bodies, and using the Moon as a proving ground for eventual manned missions to Mars. The foundational elements for these deep space explorations are NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, exploration ground systems, the Orion spacecraft, the HLS, modernized spacesuits, the Gateway lunar space station, and future lunar rovers.
For further details regarding the Artemis program, please see:
https://www.nasa.gov/artemis
FAQs About NASA’s Artemis Program Training
- What is the Artemis program?
The Artemis program is NASA’s plan to return humans to the Moon and establish sustainable exploration by the end of the decade. It aims to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by leveraging international and commercial partnerships, setting the stage for human exploration of Mars.
- Who are the astronauts training for the Artemis missions?
As of the original post, NASA astronaut Doug “Wheels” Wheelock and Axiom Space astronaut Peggy Whitson have been involved in training exercises.
- What is the significance of the recent tests involving Starship HLS?
The tests are critical as they allow astronauts to practice moving and operating in the spacesuits and interacting with the specific hardware they will use on the Moon. It ensures that everything is functional, safe, and ready for the unique challenges of lunar exploration.
- How are the new AxEMU spacesuits different from past spacesuits?
The AxEMU spacesuits are designed to offer improved flexibility, dexterity, and comfort while accommodating a more diverse range of astronaut body types, addressing the need for modernized extravehicular mobility units.
- What’s next for the Artemis astronauts after these tests?
The astronauts will continue to engage in training exercises and simulations to prepare for all aspects of the mission, including launch, moonwalks, and return to Earth. These activities are part of a comprehensive training program leading up to the actual Artemis missions.