On the Moon, the suits will have to be able to face a particularly harsh environment. The south pole, where the Artemis missions will land, can endure temperatures of over 50°C, but also very cold (down to less than 200°C at the bottom of some craters). Other difficulties: dust, or sharp stones. The materials used for the different layers of the suit are therefore insulating, resistant to the risk of tearing, and prevent dust from adhering, explained Russell Ralston. The suits will not be completely custom made for each astronaut, but different sizes will exist.
The helmet has front lights, and a high-resolution camera that will allow you to follow the exit live from Earth. Astronauts will put on the suit by opening it from the back. They will also carry a backpack, containing what they need to stay alive: “Like a bottle of compressed air and a very sophisticated air conditioner, combined“, described Russell Ralston. The combinations can be worn for at least eight hours in a row, to carry out samples and other scientific research.