Hey everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk
podcast. This is a show where we discuss.
The critical crossroads, The shape SpaceX.
Tesla X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink and I'm your host Will
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show notes. NASA's Artemis program, with its
ambitious goal to return humans to the moon, has entered A
crucial phase in its development, particularly
concerning the space suits that will be worn by astronauts.
Now Axiom Space, which is a private company, has been tasked
with developing these next generation lunar space suits,
which recently underwent rigorous testing at NASA's
Johnson Space Center. The testing included a series of
mobility tests that astronauts will need to perform on the
moon, such as picking up samples and also using geological tools.
The design and testing of the Axiom space suits are integral
to Artemis Mission's success, and these suits are being put
through their paces and environments that stimulates the
moon's partial gravity. Like NASA's Neutral Buoyancy
Lab, ensuring the suits meet NASA's stringent safety and
performance requirements is a top priority, as these garments
will support the first woman and the first person of color to set
foot on the lunar surface. Now a significant milestone of
the development of these space suits is the Critical Design
Review, which axioms space officials hinted could occur as
soon as June of this year. Now this milestone comes amidst
delays in the Artemis program, with a lunar landing now slated
for no earlier than 2026. This shift in timelines has been
attributed to various challenges, including those
related to the space suit development itself and also the
SpaceX Starship. Now The new space suits promise
enhanced flexibility compared to their Apollo era predecessors,
addressing one of the key issues faced by astronauts in the past.
However, the journey to this point has not been without his
hurdles. NASA's initial plans for space
suit development face delays due to funding issues, the COVID-19
pandemic, and technical challenges, leading to a pivot
towards involving private vendors like Axiom Space and
Collins Aerospace. The Axiom Extra Vehicular
Mobility unit, the AX EMU, was unveiled in a live stream event,
although certain details were obscured to protect proprietary
information. The development of Axemu
involves the consortium of industry experts highlighting
the collaborative effort required to bring this critical
component of lunar exploration to fruition.
Now The environments that astronauts will face on the
Moon, especially in the South Pole region where astronauts and
Artemis missions are targeted, present very unique challenges.
And unlike the Apollo missions from about 50 years ago, which
explored the Equatorial region, Artemis astronauts will
encounter colder temperatures and potentially water ice.
The Axe Emo is being designed to withstand these conditions, with
testing and vacuum chambers and underwater simulations to ensure
readiness. And NASA's current space suits,
designed decades ago for the Space Shuttle program, are not
suited for lunar exploration. This necessitates the
development of a new generation of space suits that can
accommodate A wider range of astronaut body types and enable
complex movements required for lunar surface activities.
The inclusion and accommodation of diverse astronaut body types
in the new space suit design shows that NASA has been
evolving and they're hiring practices and their commitment
to diversity is showing through. The Axiomu aims to support
astronauts of various sizes and genders, which is a significant
step forward from the limitations of past spacesuit
designs. The Artemis program is not just
a series of missions though that's been put together of
broader collaboration and coalition of over 30 nations
committed to peaceful lunar exploration under the Artemis
Accords. This international collaboration
underscores the global interest in returning to the Moon and the
importance of setting precedents for future space exploration.
And despite the excitement surrounding the Artemis program
in its milestones, recent delays have raised concerns about the
pace of progress, especially in comparison to other nations
lunar ambitions. The race to the Moon is not just
a technical challenge, but also a geopolitical one, with
significant implications for international cooperation and
norms and space exploration. The unveiling of the AXMU and
the ongoing testing at NASA facilities keep public interest
alive in the Artemis program, despite the postponements.
And these space suits are not just vital for astronaut safety,
but also represent the tangible progress being made towards
returning humans back to the lunar surface after about half
of a century. The rigorous testing regime for
the AXMU, including simulated moon walks and underwater test,
shows that the thoroughness of the preparedness is required for
lunar exploration in every aspect of the SU's design, from
mobility to resistance to lunar dust and temperatures.
Being scrutinized every single step of the way to ensure the
success of future missions and the development of the Eximu and
its testing are crucial steps for the Artemis program, laying
the foundation for the next era of lunar exploration.
Like NASA says, From the Moon to Mars and beyond in these efforts
under score the complexity of the challenges of sending humans
back to the Moon, from ensuring the safety and effectiveness of
space suits to meeting the logistical demands of such
ambitious missions. And as the Artemis program
progresses, the importance of safety, innovation, and
international cooperation remains at the forefront.
The development of the X EMU suit is a key component of this
endeavor, representing the cutting edge technology and
collaborative spirit that will enable humans to return to the
moon. The AXMU design, testing, and
eventual deployment are critical milestones in the Artemis
program, symbolizing the advancements in space technology
and the collaborative efforts required to push the boundaries
of human space exploration past the moon.
Now NASA and Axiom Space are collaborating, but they're also
using other industry partners. And this is a modern approach to
space exploration. For public and private
partnerships play a crucial role in achieving ambitious goals
like the Artemis lunar missions. And as the Artemis program
continues to develop, the focus on innovation, safety, and
inclusivity in space suit design reflects the evolving priorities
and challenges of space exploration in the 21st century.
Now for the Artemis program and the progress of it, particularly
in the development of the XEMU space suit by Axiom Space shows
that there's a balance between technical innovation, safety
considerations, and international collaboration,
which is required to extend human presence beyond Earth.
Despite these delays, though that are happening, the
continued testing and refinement of the space suits are vital
steps toward achieving the goal of returning astronauts to the
Moon, which sets the stage for future exploration and discovery
past the Moon and out to Mars. Hey, thank you so much for
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