NASA REQUESTS TO DEVELOP NEXT-GENERATION SPACESUITS.

·??????NASA has requested its commercial partners, Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace, to develop alternate versions of the next-generation spacesuits. The purpose of this request is to have backup options available in case any issues arise in the future. Axiom Space will modify its spacesuit design to be suitable for use in low Earth orbit, while Collins Aerospace will focus on creating a spacesuit specifically for astronauts on the lunar surface.

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·??????Both companies were initially awarded spacesuit contracts in June 2022 to develop attire for the International Space Station and the Artemis missions to the Moon. Axiom Space had already unveiled its next-generation spacesuit for lunar surface activities under its original contract. Collins Aerospace is still working on its spacesuit design for astronauts in the microgravity environment outside the space station.

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·??????The new task orders allow each company to continue developing their spacesuits for different environments, expanding their capabilities beyond the scope of their initial contracts. NASA stated that these orders will provide redundancy, enhance future capabilities, and contribute to the growth of the space economy.

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·??????In addition to supporting NASA's spaceflight goals, these task orders also cater to the interests of the commercial space industry. Axiom Space is developing its own commercial space station in low Earth orbit, making a spacesuit designed for microgravity environments valuable for their operations.

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·??????NASA's approach of relying on the private space sector for advancements in its missions demonstrates cost-cutting measures by renting spacesuits instead of owning them. This aligns with the agency's strategy of leveraging the expertise of commercial partners to accelerate progress in space exploration.