NASA changes astronauts’ uniforms for the first time in 40 years and pays $3.5 billion (VID)

NASA is constantly developing new, expensive tools for exploring the universe, but astronaut suits have lagged far behind.

Seven days after the end of Paris Fashion Week, an exhibition has begun NASA He unveiled the astronaut suit that will replace the one in use for 40 years. The project will cost 3.5 billion dollars.

the NASA It is constantly developing new and expensive instruments for exploring the universe, even though it has been lagging behind in its astronaut uniforms.

In fact, it has been using the same technology for 40 years.

In 2019, it presented a prototype that would offer greater flexibility in walking, bending, and turning.
It was said that astronauts would no longer move on the surface of the moon.Like bunnies, like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. They will be able to walk on the moon».

However, a small problem arose after the general examination, which took place in 2021: it turned out that the suits would not be ready until April 2025. That is, they would not have time to be worn by the Artemis III crew members. It will be the second inhabited program first. The first will leave in 2024, but the astronauts will not leave the capsule.

The new suits are also the first not to be sewn by NASA

So bids were solicited from new commercial space companies, which “They can supply key components faster and cheaper than he can develop himselfAs The New York Times wrote.

In June 2022, the only two companies that have expressed interest (Axiom and Collins Aerospace) are invited to submit their ideas.
The winner will receive 3,500,000,000 USD, until the year 2034 to create a new generation of suits. Three months later, Axiom has secured the first payment ($228 million) to begin sewing what was revealed Wednesday 3/15 at the Houston Space Center.

James Stein, chief engineer of the suit, introduced the lunar equipment and showed how easy it is for astronauts to move, even squatting. He said the large transparent “bubble” around the head provided a wide view as well as illumination Which will be important when astronauts enter the dark craters near the moon’s south polewhere NASA hopes to study water ice at the bottom of cool, shadowed craters.