SpaceX is finally upping the spacesuit game. While the new Artemis spacesuit revealed last year was exciting, SpaceX’s new spacesuit takes things a step further, even offering great mobility, a more streamlined design, and a head-up display (HUD) to keep astronauts informed of the status of their suit’s onboard systems.
Spacesuits really haven’t changed all that much since the early days of space exploration. Despite all the new tech advancements we’ve had, most spacesuits still rely on a wrist-based display to keep them apprised of their suit’s various functions, including their oxygen and more.
The new EVA spacesuit from SpaceX is looking to change that, though. Revealed this week, SpaceX says the new suit will support the Polaris Dawn crew as they take on the first-ever commercial astronaut spacewalk. The suit was created using the basis of the Intravehicular Activity Suit (IVA) that SpaceX has employed for a few years now.
However, the new suit features some additional features than those seen in traditional EVA suits. For starters, the suit is a lot slimmer, making it a far cry from the bulky suits we often see in use aboard the International Space Station.
The helmet and visor were created using 3D-printed parts, and that all comes together with a more streamlined design, which appears to showcase spiral zippers that allow it to be put on and taken off with relative ease. Additionally, the built-in life support in the SpaceX spacesuits will allow the astronauts to be completely disconnected, which has likely helped slim things down.
The shoulders also appear to show a high degree of mobility, and the fingers seem bendable despite the thick gloves designed to protect the astronaut’s body. The head-up display will also be a huge and drastic change, allowing astronauts to keep a constant watch on their suit’s systems without needing to look away from their primary objective.
This, of course, isn’t the first time SpaceX has pushed the space industry to new levels. The interior of its Crew Dragon capsules looks a lot different than the dated array of switches often found in other spacecraft. As such, it isn’t surprising to see the latest SpaceX spacesuits taking their own approach to design and functionality.
