NASA unveils spacesuit to be worn by the first woman on the moon

NASA has revealed new prototypes of the spacesuits that will be worn by the first woman to walk on the moon. These will be flexible and sustainable spacesuits. In an event at the space agency's headquarters, NASA's chief Jim Bridenstine and spacesuit engineers shared the first look of two next-generation spacesuits according to reports. These are created for the agency's Artemis program. It strives to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024.

NASA's Administrator Jim Bridenstine stated at the event that they are going to the moon by 2024, and their mission is to travel sustainably."Ultimately the goal is going to Mars, and to travel to Mars, we need to utilise the moon as a testing ground."

Read Also: First Female Moonwalker Soon! NASA’s Mission Artemis 2024 Assures Us

To reach these ambitious objectives, NASA recognises that it needs to modernise its spacesuits so that individuals of all shapes, sizes and genders will be capable to fly and explore the moon, Mars and beyond. "Kristine Davis is wearing a spacesuit that will fit all of our astronauts when we go to the moon," Bridenstine said.

The new space suit designed to fit all

The suit is more resilient than earlier ones so as to enable astronauts to stoop to pick up rocks and move more efficiently. The insulation is intended to resist a temperature range of -150C to 120C. "If we remember the Apollo generation, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin bunny-hopped on the surface of the moon," Bridenstine said. He added that now they are going to be able to walk on the surface of the moon. This is very different from the suits of the past.

Kristine Davis squats to pick up a rock to show the flexibility of the exploration extravehicular mobility unit. Photograph: Kevin Wolf/AP

Key Takeaways:

• NASA revealed new prototypes of spacesuits on Tuesday to be worn by the first woman to walk on the moon.
• Bridenstine announced that they plan to land on the moon by 2024.
• The new suit is more flexible and to fit a more diverse crew.
• Kristine Davis was wearing the spacesuit in the event which will fit all astronauts.

The focus on spacesuits planned to fit a more distinct crew comes after proposals for the first all-female spacewalk had to be dismissed this year. This is because there were not enough medium-size spacesuits. Christina Koch and Anne McClain had been listed to step outside the International Space Station to install batteries, but only Koch was able to take part in the walk.

Another effort at an all-female spacewalk, including Koch and Jessica Meir, is scheduled to take place on Thursday. The pair plan to board on a six-hour excursion to repair defective batteries.

Read Also: Why NASA Cancelled The First Ever All-Female Spacewalk

Image: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Saumya Rastogi is an intern with SheThePeople.TV