# NASA's New Partner: Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace for Future Spacesuits
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Chapter 1: NASA's Vision for Next-Gen Spacesuits
NASA has officially partnered with Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace to create the spacesuits that astronauts will wear during their missions. This collaboration aims to develop advanced suits that address the challenges encountered in spacewalks.
A recent incident highlighted the urgent need for improvements when a water leak occurred in the current astronaut suits during a March outing. According to Dan Burbank, a former NASA astronaut and senior technical fellow at Collins Aerospace, a spacesuit should not replicate the feeling of being inside a spacecraft.
Section 1.1: Transitioning to New Technologies
The existing Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), which have been in operation since 1983 and were developed by Collins Aerospace and ILC Dover, will be replaced by the new designs from Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace. This transition reflects NASA's commitment to advancing spacesuit technology for both lunar and extraterrestrial exploration.
Section 1.2: Leveraging Commercial Partnerships
NASA has emphasized the significance of its commercial collaborations in achieving its exploration goals. Each partner has invested substantial resources into the development process. Moreover, these partners will retain ownership of the spacesuits and are encouraged to explore commercial applications for the technologies and data developed in conjunction with NASA.
“Our commercial partnerships will aid in the realization of our human exploration objectives,” stated Mark Kirasich, deputy associate administrator of NASA’s Artemis Campaign Development Division.
Chapter 2: The xEVAS Contract and Future Prospects
The contract with Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace is designed to be robust and flexible, accommodating the evolving needs of NASA and the broader space sector. This agreement enables a fusion of NASA's expertise with industry advancements, supporting ongoing research in space.
The two companies were selected following a request for proposals for Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS). The contract allows qualified contractors to submit bids for various tasks to support NASA’s spacewalking activities until 2034. The total potential value of the xEVAS contract is $3.5 billion.
The initial tasks under this contract include the development and services required for the first demonstration outside the International Space Station (ISS) as well as the upcoming Artemis III lunar landing.
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