Spacesuits
More than 50 years of NASA expertise is going into the design of modern spacesuits that will protect and support astronauts as they reach iconic heights during forays in low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and worlds beyond. The agency is partnering with commercial providers Collins Aerospace and Axiom Space to provide next-generation spacesuits perfectly suited to NASA’s expanded mission portfolio.
NASA astronauts have performed spacewalks outside the International Space Station for maintenance and upgrades while wearing the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit design that debuted during the Space Shuttle Program in the 1980s. While the EMU spacesuit has far exceeded its planned design lifespan, NASA is eager capitalize on advanced spacewalking capabilities to achieve increasingly complex exploration goals. The new suits, which act as “personal spaceships” for the astronauts, will benefit from cutting-edge technologies that were not available these decades past, such as improved mobility and innovations in life support systems.
Quick Facts
Spacesuit Learning Resources
Spacesuit for NASA’s Moon Surface Mission Debuts
When NASA sends the first astronauts to explore near the lunar South Pole, moonwalkers will wear spacesuits provided by Axiom Space.
Learn More About The Spacesuit about Spacesuit for NASA’s Moon Surface Mission Debuts![A full-body mock-up of Axiom's next generation spacesuit is shown, made of black material and orange accents.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/axiom-axemu-full-1.jpg?w=1350)
Suit Up for Mars
From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible.
On Episode 280 of Houston We Have a Podcast, hear from a spacesuit systems engineer who explains what will be needed in the design and operation of a spacesuit on the Red Planet. This is the tenth episode in a reboot of our series about a human mission to Mars.
Listen here about Suit Up for Mars![This illustration shows NASA astronauts on Mars.](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/PIA24031/PIA24031~orig.jpg?w=1600&h=900&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
History
Early Spacesuits
Early attempts at pressure suits stemmed from the recognition that piston engine aircraft using turbochargers were able to fly at altitudes that now posed new dangers for pilots.
As the agency began to plan for space exploration, NASA needed to transition from full-pressure suits to spacesuits, which were a significant step in protecting humans.
Learn More About Early Spacesuits about Early Spacesuits![Astronauts standing in front of shuttle](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/spinoff_cobham1.jpg?w=1262)
Glove Inspection Tech Lends Helping Hand
The same hands spacewalkers use for locomotion are also key tools for building and maintaining the space station – and a first-line of defense against the vacuum of space.
Learn More About Our Glove Tech about Glove Inspection Tech Lends Helping Hand![NASA astronaut Anne McClain displays a spacesuit glove](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iss059e005614.jpg?w=1041)
Media
![Engineers in orange spacesuits sit inside a mockup of the Orion spacecraft.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jsc2022e044165orig.jpg?w=300)
![](/https/www.nasa.gov/wp-content/plugins/nasa-blocks/assets/images/gallery-preview-example-02.jpg)
![Collins Aerospace's next-generation spacesuit prototype for use the International Space Station.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/collins-spacesuit-3.03.25-pm.jpg?w=300)
![Astronaut Jack R. Lousma, Skylab 3 pilot, participates in the Aug. 6, 1973 spacewalk.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/257824main-sl3-115-1833-full.jpg?w=300)
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![NASA spacewalkers (from left) Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy give a thumbs up during a spacewalk to install hardware and upgrade International Space Station systems.](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/iss063e053998/iss063e053998~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
![NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins flashes a smile while wearing a SpaceX spacesuit with the helmet visor up.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/jsc2022e003332.jpg?w=300)
![](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/S63-01755/S63-01755~large.jpg?w=1416&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
![A spacesuit display showing Neil Armstrong's Pressure Suit, A7-L, which he wore to walk on the Moon, with the first words he spoke on the surface displayed behind the suit.](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/NHQ201907120004/NHQ201907120004~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1301&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
![](/https/www.nasa.gov/wp-content/plugins/nasa-blocks/assets/images/gallery-preview-example-10.jpg)