NASA is revising its lunar spacesuit design, opting for a simpler version for its first missions to the Moon’s surface. The move is part of a broader push to land astronauts near the lunar south pole as early as 2028.
The decision was shared during an internal agency meeting this week. Under the direction of Artemis Program Manager Jeremy Parsons, NASA will partner with Axiom Space to develop a “Sortie Suit” variant of the planned surface suit. The lighter design aims to reduce the spacesuit’s mass, cut its complexity, and simplify the connections between the suits and the lunar landers being built by both SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Getting Artemis Back on Track
Since taking over in December 2025, Administrator Jared Isaacman and his team have been reviewing the Artemis Program, which had slipped well behind schedule. At the time, it looked increasingly likely that NASA would not return to the Moon before 2030, potentially allowing China to reach the surface first.
Isaacman has pursued several major changes with the support of Congress. These include streamlining production of the Space Launch System rocket, canceling the Lunar Gateway to ease demands on lunar landers, and working closely with SpaceX and Blue Origin to identify their needs and offer support.
Less has been publicly reported about NASA’s collaboration with Axiom Space, which currently serves as the agency’s only provider of surface suits under a spacesuit-as-a-service contract. Modern suits remain essential to any meaningful lunar mission, enabling astronauts to move around outside, capture images, and carry out scientific work.
Slimming Down the Design
About four years ago, NASA awarded spacesuit development contracts to two companies: Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace. In 2024, Collins withdrew after falling behind schedule, leaving Axiom as the sole provider. Axiom has stayed committed to the effort, though some private sources have raised concerns about its pace of progress.
New details emerged this week during a meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel. Panel member and former astronaut Charlie Precourt disclosed that NASA leadership is meeting with Axiom six days a week, often in person, to address schedule and performance concerns. Precourt noted that requirements are being adjusted to reflect near-term mission needs, including shortening the spacesuit certification duration requirements.
While Precourt did not use the name “Sortie Suit,” the reference clearly points to a slimmed-down version of Axiom’s AxEMU suit. Industry rumors have repeatedly suggested that the current design significantly exceeds its mass budget.
The Sortie Suit is slated for use on the initial landing missions flown aboard the landers developed by both SpaceX and Blue Origin.
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Image: arstechnica.com
