Spacesuit Setback
Earlier this week, NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson was alarmed to discover water leaking from her spacesuit just 31 minutes into a spacewalk with fellow astronaut Mike Barratt outside the International Space Station (ISS). The spacewalk was cut short, and the onboard crew has been investigating the leak since.
This incident highlights the urgent need for NASA to update its spacesuit design, which dates back to the Space Shuttle Program of the 1980s. However, efforts to develop a new suit with commercial partners are faltering.
According to SpaceNews, Collins Aerospace has agreed with NASA to cease work on a new ISS spacesuit. The reasons for Collins' withdrawal remain unclear, raising concerns about the future of NASA's spacesuit program.
Crossover Event
In June 2022, NASA selected Collins Aerospace and Axiom Space for its xEVAS program, aiming to develop spacesuits for the ISS and the Artemis Moon missions. Despite successfully testing a prototype suit in February, Collins has now pulled out, citing an inability to meet NASA's timeline and mission objectives.
Industry insiders suggest that delays and budget overruns may have led to Collins' withdrawal. Fortunately, Axiom Space is stepping in, adapting its Moon suit for use on the ISS. SpaceX is also developing its own EVA suit, set to be tested on an upcoming mission.
Despite these efforts, the situation remains troubling. NASA had to cancel two spacewalks this month, including Dyson's recent ordeal. In 2022, the agency paused spacewalks for seven months after an astronaut experienced a "close call" with water accumulating in his helmet, risking drowning in space.
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