Former Astronaut Slams Current Spacesuits: Lunar Missions at Risk?

NASA’s ambitious Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon, faces a potential hurdle: the spacesuits. Recent critiques from former astronaut Kate Rubins highlight concerns that the new Axiom spacesuits, while an improvement over Apollo-era designs, may be too physically demanding for sustained lunar exploration. This raises a critical question – are current spacesuit designs jeopardizing the success of upcoming lunar missions?

The Physical Demands of Moonwalking: A Step Beyond the Space Station

Astronauts heading to the lunar surface under the Artemis missions are preparing for a significant physical challenge. Unlike the relatively relaxed environment of the International Space Station (ISS), lunar exploration will require prolonged exertion in bulky, heavy suits. Rubins, a veteran of two long-duration ISS flights and four spacewalks, emphasized that lunar EVAs (Extravehicular Activities) will be an “extreme physical event.”

While astronauts on the ISS experience microgravity and can float with relative ease, the Moon presents a different set of challenges. The partial gravity (approximately one-sixth of Earth’s) combined with the suit’s weight and the need for ambulation – walking – will place immense strain on astronauts’ bodies. This is further complicated by the lack of Earth’s magnetospheric protection and the pervasive lunar dust.

Health Risks Beyond Radiation and Atrophy

Rubins outlined the well-documented health risks of spaceflight – radiation exposure, muscle and bone atrophy, reduced cardiovascular and immune function – but stressed that the lunar environment amplifies these concerns. The constant physical stress of lunar EVAs, coupled with sleep deprivation and the demands of scientific tasks, could push astronauts to their limits. These risks are particularly acute during extended lunar missions, where astronauts will be living and working on the surface for weeks or months.

Axiom’s Spacesuit: Progress, But at a Cost?

NASA awarded Axiom Space a $228 million fixed-price contract to develop commercial pressurized spacesuits for the Artemis III mission, slated to be the first human landing since 1972. The goal is to create suits that offer greater mobility and redundancy compared to the Apollo suits. The new designs incorporate more flexible joints, allowing astronauts to bend, crouch, and use their legs more effectively.

However, the Axiom suit is considerably heavier than the 185-pound spacesuits worn by Apollo astronauts. Estimates place the suit’s weight at over 300 pounds on Earth, though Axiom considers the exact figure proprietary. A 2021 NASA inspector general report estimated an earlier prototype exploration spacesuit at over 400 pounds. This added weight significantly increases the physical burden on astronauts.

The Weight Problem: A Legacy of Engineering Challenges

The heavier weight of the Artemis spacesuits contrasts with advice from Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, who advocated for suits with “four times the mobility, and half the weight.” Schmitt suggested utilizing consumables from a lunar rover to reduce the load carried in the backpack, a strategy not available for the initial Artemis III mission.

The challenge lies in balancing life support requirements – maintaining a habitable environment in the vacuum of space, regulating temperature, and providing radiation shielding – with the need for mobility and comfort. As Rubins explained, “It’s an incredibly hard engineering challenge. You have to keep a human alive in absolute vacuum… If you put all that together, that’s a huge amount of suit material just to keep the human physiology and the human body intact.”

Experiences in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and Beyond

Rubins, now a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, draws on her extensive experience testing the new lunar suits. She describes the experience in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) – a massive pool used to simulate weightlessness – as exhausting. “I am absolutely spent. You’re bruised. This is an extreme physical event in a way that the space station is not.”

NASA astronaut Mike Barratt, also a medical doctor, echoed concerns about potential trauma from the suits, ranging from skin abrasions to joint pain and even fractures. He acknowledged the progress Axiom has made, noting over 700 hours of pressurized testing, but emphasized the importance of proper body conditioning and techniques to mitigate the risks.

The Importance of Parabolic Flight Testing

While underwater testing in the NBL is valuable, Rubins believes that reduced-gravity flight testing – using parabolic flights to simulate lunar gravity – is crucial. “Until you get to the actual parabolic flight, that’s when you can really test the ability to manage this momentum,” she stated. This testing will allow developers and astronauts to experience the suit’s behavior in a more realistic environment.

Addressing the Challenges: Design, Training, and Tools

Rubins highlighted several specific challenges with the current suit designs. The high center of gravity, due to the life support backpack, makes it difficult to maintain balance. Bending down to pick up rocks or perform tasks is hampered by compression of the suit material. Recovering from a fall on the lunar surface requires a powerful push-up, a potentially risky maneuver.

To address these issues, Rubins suggests focusing on several key areas:

• Improved Suit Fit: The new suits are designed to accommodate a wider range of body sizes, reducing discomfort and bruising.
• Enhanced Physical Conditioning: Astronauts need to be in peak physical condition before embarking on lunar missions, with a focus on weight and endurance training.
• Utilizing Tools: Employing tools like staffs or hiking poles can provide stability and reduce the strain on astronauts’ bodies when kneeling or bending.
• Continuous Improvement: NASA and Axiom must be prepared to rapidly iterate on the suit design based on feedback from astronauts during Artemis missions.

Lessons from the Past: The Russian Orlan Spacesuit

Barratt drew parallels to the Russian Orlan spacesuit, which he praised for its reliability and ease of maintenance. He noted that the Orlan’s design allows for straightforward repairs with standard tools, a feature lacking in the current NASA suits. “It’s mechanical, it’s accessible… We can fix it. We can do that really easily,” he said.

The Path Forward: Prioritizing Lunar Exploration

The success of the Artemis program hinges on ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the spacesuits. While the current designs represent an improvement over Apollo-era technology, they still present significant challenges. As Rubins emphasized, “Once you have safely landed on the lunar surface, this is where you got to put your money.”

Investing in continuous improvement of the spacesuit, prioritizing astronaut training, and incorporating lessons learned from past missions are crucial steps towards realizing the full potential of lunar exploration. The goal isn’t just to return to the Moon, but to establish a sustainable presence and unlock its scientific secrets. And that requires a spacesuit that empowers astronauts, rather than hindering them.

GearTech will continue to follow the development of the Artemis program and provide updates on the latest advancements in spacesuit technology.