NASA Turns to Stripped-Down Sortie Suit for First Artemis Landings
NASA has instructed Axiom Space to develop a more simplified Sortie Suit for its first lunar landings, aiming for a 2028 target. This decision follows the cancellation of the Lunar Gateway project, which included three guaranteed European astronaut flights.
As reported by Ars Technica, the new suit, named Sortie Suit, focuses on reducing mass and complexity, while also simplifying interfaces with SpaceX and Blue Origin landers. Certification duration requirements are also being shortened, according to Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel member Charlie Precourt.
Axiom Space is the sole remaining supplier after Collins Aerospace withdrew in 2024. NASA leadership now meets with Axiom six days a week.
The original suit requirements were considered overly demanding, including six spacewalks over 6.5 days, 210 days of dormancy, and enduring two hours in permanent shadow. All this aimed for a landing by 2028, a target date rather than a confirmed schedule.
The cancellation of the Lunar Gateway, driven by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s efforts to streamline rocket production, left Europe without a clear role. While Europe was building three modules for the Gateway at a significant cost, these were part of a barter agreement. They also provided two additional service modules for Orion.
European astronauts secured three flight opportunities to the Gateway through a memorandum signed in October 2020. However, with the Gateway’s cancellation, no replacement has been announced. Europe continues to deliver its half of the deal regardless.
The simplified suits are intended for missions without European astronauts on board. The first landings will use SpaceX and Blue Origin vehicles. This raises questions for ESA ministers regarding their future role in lunar exploration. Despite losing its initial mechanism to send Europeans to the Moon, Europe still possesses contractors and lunar technology.