Spacesuits

More than 50 years of NASA expertise is going into the design of modern spacesuits that will protect and support astronauts as they reach iconic heights during forays in low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and worlds beyond. The agency is partnering with commercial provider Axiom Space to provide next-generation spacesuits perfectly suited to NASA’s expanded mission portfolio.

NASA astronauts have performed spacewalks outside the International Space Station for maintenance and upgrades while wearing the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit design that debuted during the Space Shuttle Program in the 1980s. While the EMU spacesuit has far exceeded its planned design lifespan, NASA is eager to capitalize on advanced spacewalking capabilities to achieve increasingly complex exploration goals. The new suits, which act as “personal spaceships” for the astronauts, will benefit from cutting-edge technologies that were not available these decades past, such as improved mobility and innovations in life support systems.

Quick Facts

Gloves protect astronauts from the space environment and are made so spacewalkers can move their fingers as easily as possible.

👁 Gloves protect astronauts from the space environment and are made so spacewalkers can move their fingers as easily as possible.

The helmet on spacesuits built for spacewalks serves as a pressure bubble and is made of strong plastic to keep the pressure of the suit contained.

👁 The helmet on spacesuits built for spacewalks serves as a pressure bubble and is made of strong plastic to keep the pressure of the suit contained.

Next-generation spacesuits designed by Axiom Space will be built to accommodate the diverse physical characteristics of NASA astronauts, offering a wide range of sizes and a high-mobility upper torso for maximum range of motion.

👁 Next-generation spacesuits designed by Axiom Space will be built to accommodate the diverse physical characteristics of NASA astronauts, offering a wide range of sizes and a high-mobility upper torso for maximum range of motion.

Before donning the actual spacesuit, the first piece that astronauts put on is a special cooling garment made of a stretchy spandex material and water tubes. Chilled water flows through about 300 feet of tubes woven into this tight-fitting piece of clothing, working to regulate a spacewalker’s body temperature and remove extra heat.

👁 Before donning the actual spacesuit, the first piece that astronauts put on is a special cooling garment made of a stretchy spandex material and water tubes. Chilled water flows through about 300 feet of tubes woven into this tight-fitting piece of clothing, working to regulate a spacewalker’s body temperature and remove extra heat.

Spacewalkers wear a high-tech backpack, or Portable Life Support System, that contains everything they need to explore the unforgiving space environment. Electricity, a fan, carbon dioxide removal system, water tank for the cooling garment, and a two-way radio round out the backpack’s essential gear.

👁 Spacewalkers wear a high-tech backpack, or Portable Life Support System, that contains everything they need to explore the unforgiving space environment. Electricity, a fan, carbon dioxide removal system, water tank for the cooling garment, and a two-way radio round out the backpack’s essential gear.

The Apollo spacesuit was basically a one-piece suit, and each was custom tailored to fit every moonwalking astronaut. An Apollo mission required 15 suits to support its exploration goals.

👁 The Apollo spacesuit was basically a one-piece suit, and each was custom tailored to fit every moonwalking astronaut. An Apollo mission required 15 suits to support its exploration goals.

Spacesuit Learning Resources

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Artemis Generation Spacesuits

Artemis Generation Spacesuits was published by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement as part of a series of educator guides to help middle school students reach their potential to join the next-generation STEM workforce.

👁 Artist concept depicting astronauts and human habitats on Mars

Designing Spacesuits for Mars

The steps that spacesuit engineers and technicians follow to create their product are the same as those used in nearly every technological endeavor.

👁 NASA astronaut Drew Feustel is pictured tethered to the International Space Station just outside of the Quest airlock during a spacewalk he conducted with fellow NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold (out of frame) on June 14, 2018. During the six-hour, 49-minute spacewalk the duo installed high-definition cameras to provide enhanced views of commercial crew spacecraft, including the SpaceX Crew Dragon and the Boeing Starliner, as they approach and dock with the orbital laboratory.

Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide

This NASA educator guide for grades 5-12 focuses on the technology behind spacesuits.

👁 A large group standing in front of a pool posing for a group photo.

Microgravity University

Experiences enabling undergraduate students and K-16 educators to conduct science, engineering, mathematical, and technological experiments in a simulated microgravity environment or on a research-based platform.

👁 Spacewalking astronaut on untethered spacewalk surrounded by empty space with Earth below

Infographic: 50 Years of Spacewalking

Explore 50 years of spacewalking history, beginning in 1961, in this pictorial timeline of milestones reached … and those to come.

Exploration is dirty work! Advanced spacesuits will protect the first woman and person of color on the Moon from the harsh lunar environment. Lunar soil isn’t simple dust like what we have on Earth; it is irregular, sharp, and fine and it creates challenges for spacesuit engineers. Find out how NASA research and development are shaping spacesuits for the Artemis generation.

Spacesuit for NASA’s Moon Surface Mission Debuts

When NASA sends the first astronauts to explore near the lunar South Pole, moonwalkers will wear spacesuits provided by Axiom Space.

Learn More About The Spacesuit about Spacesuit for NASA’s Moon Surface Mission Debuts

👁 A full-body mock-up of Axiom's next generation spacesuit is shown, made of black material and orange accents.

Suit Up for Mars

From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible.

On Episode 280 of Houston We Have a Podcast, hear from a spacesuit systems engineer who explains what will be needed in the design and operation of a spacesuit on the Red Planet. This is the tenth episode in a reboot of our series about a human mission to Mars.

Listen here about Suit Up for Mars

👁 This illustration shows NASA astronauts on Mars.

This artist’s concept shows a pair of astronauts suited up and working with experiment packages on Mars.

Credits: NASA

Glove Inspection Tech Lends Helping Hand

The same hands spacewalkers use for locomotion are also key tools for building and maintaining the space station – and a first-line of defense against the vacuum of space.

Learn More About Our Glove Tech about Glove Inspection Tech Lends Helping Hand

👁 NASA astronaut Anne McClain displays a spacesuit glove

Watch NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts suit up for launch. NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and astronaut Soichi Noguchi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) don their spacesuits inside Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center.