Requiring Lunar-tolerant Gloves and Footwear: NASA's Endeavor for Extreme Cold Resistance on the Moon
NASA Prepares to Conquer Lunar Cold with Upgraded Spacesuits
In an ambitious endeavor, NASA is set to delve into the frigid territories of the Moon's South Pole with its upcoming Artemis 3 mission. The agency is addressing the thermal challenges posed by the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar South Pole by fine-tuning the next-generation spacesuits for its astronauts.
Engineers at NASA are rigorously examining the elbow joints of these cutting-edge spacesuits inside an expansive cryogenic chamber, known as the Cryogenic Ice Testing, Acquisition Development, and Excavation Laboratory (CITADEL). CITADEL, previously utilized for robot part testing for interplanetary missions, has now been enlisted for this human-centric lunar expedition.
Zach Fester, an engineer with the Advanced Suit Team at NASA Johnson, explains, "We aim to assess the potential risks for astronauts venturing into the permanently shadowed regions. Gloves and boots are critical, as they facilitate prolonged contact with cold surfaces and tools."
CITADEL, standing tall at 4 feet and spanning 5 feet, is stationed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Unlike conventional cryogenic facilities that employ liquid nitrogen for cooling, CITADEL uses compressed helium to plunge temperatures to an icy -370 Fahrenheit (-223 Celsius). The chamber cools for several days before it reaches its target temperature, and a mere opening can initiate the process anew. To avoid this, CITADEL is equipped with four load locks, allowing for seamless insertion of test materials while maintaining its chilled vacuum state.
Other features of CITADEL include a robot arm for handling test materials and cameras capturing the testing process in both visible and infrared light. For simulations of the Moon missions, the team intends to add abrasion testing and a lunar regolith-like material to the chamber, as well as aluminum blocks to imitate astronaut tools.
Previous NASA testing methods enlisted human astronauts, requiring them to place their gloved hands inside a chilled glove box, handle frigid objects, and endure their skin temperatures dropping to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Now, engineers employ a custom-built manikin hand and foot for testing within CITADEL. The manikin's extremities feature a system of fluid loops that mimic blood flow, and dozens of temperature and heat flux sensors collect data from the gloves and boots.
While Apollo astronauts traversed near the Moon's equator on its near side, the Artemis crews aim to explore the lunar South Pole, which is of great interest to scientists as it may harbor water ice in the shadowed areas but presents a harsh environment due to extreme temperatures and lack of sunlight. The lunar South Pole's frigid temperatures can plummet to a chilling -414 degrees Fahrenheit (-248 degrees Celsius). The Artemis astronauts will spend approximately two hours at a time inside craters potentially containing ice deposits.
Innovative spacesuits will outfit the Artemis astronauts, marking the first moonwalking suits since the Apollo era. Axiom Space has been tasked with creating these new, stylish spacesuits. The AxEMU, short for Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit, embodies the legacy of the Apollo suits while incorporating new technology for enhanced mobility and robust protection against the lunar environment. Prada has been enlisted to offer design and material expertise, aiming to present a visually appealing appearance for the lunar explorers.
Tests within CITADEL are instrumental in preparing criteria for NASA's next-generation AxEMU spacesuits. NASA engineers are currently assessing the sixth iteration of a glove they have employed since the 1980s, which is part of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit worn by astronauts on the International Space Station for spacewalks. These gloves have performed poorly in CITADEL, suggesting they cannot meet the thermal demands of the lunar South Pole. Results from the boots testing have yet to be fully analyzed.
Shane McFarland, the technology development lead for the Advanced Suit Team at NASA Johnson, states, "This test seeks to determine the limits: How long can that glove or boot remain in the lunar environment? We strive to quantify our existing hardware's capability gaps and develop this exclusive test capability to assess future designs."
NASA's Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for 2027, promises an uncharted exploration of the Moon. By overcoming thermal challenges and advancing spacesuit technology, a successful Artemis 3 mission will propel humanity further into the cosmos, with future aspirations reaching Mars.
- CITADEL, previously utilized for robot part testing for interplanetary missions, is now being used to test human-centric spacesuits for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission.
- In CITADEL, NASA engineers are assessing the potential risks for astronauts venturing into the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar South Pole, focusing particularly on gloves and boots.
- The upcoming Artemis 3 mission, scheduled for 2027, will see astronauts exploring the lunar South Pole, a region of great interest to scientists due to the possible presence of water ice, but also known for its harsh environment and extreme temperatures.
- The next-generation spacesuits for the Artemis 3 mission, known as the AxEMU, are being created by Axiom Space, with design and material expertise provided by Prada. Tests within CITADEL are instrumental in preparing criteria for these innovative spacesuits, helping ensure they can withstand the extreme temperatures of the lunar South Pole.
