{"id":205389,"date":"2025-04-25T02:28:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T16:28:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=852396"},"modified":"2025-04-25T02:28:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T16:28:47","slug":"nasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=205389","title":{"rendered":"NASA Tests Key Spacesuit Parts Inside This Icy Chamber"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\">\n<div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\">\n<p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">6 min read<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-image-carousel grid-container grid-container-block padding-top-8 padding-bottom-8 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-carousel\">\n<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-carousel-slider margin-0\" id=\"image-carousel-slider\">\n<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"A white space glove is mounted inside a metal chamber surrounded by wires, tubes, and foil insulation, simulating conditions for space testing.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg 7141w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26430-glove-in-load-lock.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">An astronaut glove designed for International Space Station spacewalks is prepped for testing in a chamber called CITADEL at NASA JPL. Conducted at temperatures as frigid as those Artemis III astronauts will see on the lunar South Pole, the testing supports next-generation spacesuit development.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Two men examine a white space glove inside a vacuum chamber labeled &quot;CITADEL&quot; in a lab filled with equipment, wires, and control panels. One man is seated, adjusting the glove, while the other stands nearby observing.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.02); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg 7484w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-pia26591-glove-setup.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Engineers with NASA Johnson and the NASA Engineering and Safety Center ready an astronaut glove for insertion into the main CITADEL chamber at JPL. The team tested the glove in vacuum at minus 352 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 213 degrees Celsius).<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex margin-left-auto margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M3.5,4.5l3.7-3.6L6.3,0L1.8,4.5L6.3,9l0.9-0.9L3.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next margin-right-0\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M5.5,4.5L1.8,8.1L2.7,9l4.5-4.5L2.7,0L1.8,0.9L5.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em>A JPL facility built to support potential robotic spacecraft missions to frozen ocean worlds helps engineers develop safety tests for next-generation spacesuits.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>When NASA astronauts return to the Moon under the Artemis campaign and eventually venture farther into the solar system, they will encounter conditions harsher than any humans have experienced before. Ensuring next-generation spacesuits protect astronauts requires new varieties of tests, and a one-of-a-kind chamber called CITADEL (Cryogenic Ice Testing, Acquisition Development, and Excavation Laboratory) at NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California is helping.<\/p>\n<p>Built to prepare potential robotic explorers for the frosty, low-pressure conditions on ocean worlds like Jupiter\u2019s frozen moon <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/europa-clipper\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Europa<\/a>, CITADEL also can evaluate how spacesuit gloves and boots hold up in extraordinary cold. Spearheaded by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nesc\/\">NASA Engineering and Safety Center<\/a>, a glove testing campaign in CITADEL ran from October 2023 to March 2024. Boot testing, initiated by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/suits-and-rovers\/\">Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program<\/a> at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston, took place from October 2024 to January 2025.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1921\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A white space boot is secured in a metal fixture surrounded by wires, tubes, and reflective foil inside a test chamber, likely simulating lunar or space conditions for equipment evaluation.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png 2894w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=300,281 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=768,720 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=1024,960 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=1536,1440 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=2048,1921 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=400,375 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=600,563 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=900,844 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=1200,1125 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e1-pia26592-boot-in-test.png?resize=2000,1876 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">An astronaut boot \u2014 part of a NASA lunar spacesuit prototype, the xEMU \u2014 is readied for testing in JPL\u2019s CITADEL. A thick aluminum plate stands in for the cold surface of the lunar South Pole, where Artemis III astronauts will confront conditions more extreme than any humans have yet experienced.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In coming months, the team will adapt CITADEL to test spacesuit elbow joints to evaluate suit fabrics for longevity on the Moon. They\u2019ll incorporate abrasion testing and introduce a simulant for lunar regolith, the loose material that makes up the Moon\u2019s surface, into the chamber for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve built space robots at JPL that have gone across the solar system and beyond,\u201d said Danny Green, a mechanical engineer who led the boot testing for JPL. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty special to also use our facilities in support of returning astronauts to the Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Astronauts on the Artemis III mission will explore the Moon\u2019s South Pole, a region of much <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/moons-south-pole-is-full-of-mystery-science-intrigue\/\">greater extremes<\/a> than the equatorial landing sites visited by Apollo-era missions. They\u2019ll spend up to two hours at a time inside craters that may contain <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/moon\/nasas-lro-lunar-ice-deposits-are-widespread\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ice deposits<\/a> potentially important to sustaining long-term human presence on the Moon. Called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EA46nq6klPw\" rel=\"noopener\">permanently shadowed regions<\/a>, these intriguing features rank among the coldest locations in the solar system, reaching as low as minus 414 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 248 degrees Celsius). The CITADEL chamber gets close to those temperatures.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg 4284w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=225,300 225w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=768,1024 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=1152,1536 1152w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=1536,2048 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=300,400 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=450,600 450w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=675,900 675w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=900,1200 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e2-pia26593-boot-full-chamber.jpeg?resize=1500,2000 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Engineers from JPL and NASA Johnson set up a test of the xEMU boot inside CITADEL. Built to prepare potential robotic explorers for conditions on ocean worlds like Jupiter\u2019s moon Europa, the chamber offers unique capabilities that have made it useful for testing spacesuit parts.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe want to understand what the risk is to astronauts going into permanently shadowed regions, and gloves and boots are key because they make prolonged contact with cold surfaces and tools,\u201d said Zach Fester, an engineer with the Advanced Suit Team at NASA Johnson and the technical lead for the boot testing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Keeping Cool<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Housed in the same building as JPL\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ntrs.nasa.gov\/api\/citations\/19680004636\/downloads\/19680004636.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">historic 10-Foot Space Simulator<\/a>, the CITADEL chamber uses compressed helium to get as low as minus 370 F (minus 223 C) \u2014 lower than most cryogenic facilities, which largely rely on liquid nitrogen. At 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and 5 feet (1.5 meters) in diameter, the chamber is big enough for a person to climb inside.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1365\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?w=1365\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"An engineer in a white spacesuit with red and blue accents kneels in a sandbox, using a scoop to collect simulated lunar soil into a bag during a training or equipment test indoors. A harness supports the suit from above.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg 3521w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/e3-axemu.jpg?resize=1333,2000 1333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1365px) 100vw, 1365px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">An engineer collects simulated lunar samples while wearing the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit spacesuit during testing at NASA Johnson in late 2023. Recent testing of existing NASA spacesuit designs in JPL\u2019s CITADEL chamber will ultimately support de-velopment of next-generation suits being built by Axiom Space.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Axiom Space<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>More important, it features four load locks, drawer-like chambers through which test materials are inserted into the main chamber while maintaining a chilled vacuum state. The chamber can take several days to reach test conditions, and opening it to insert new test materials starts the process all over again. The load locks allowed engineers to make quick adjustments during boot and glove tests.<\/p>\n<p>Cryocoolers chill the chamber, and aluminum blocks inside can simulate tools astronauts might grab or the cold lunar surface on which they\u2019d walk. The chamber also features a robotic arm to interact with test materials, plus multiple visible-light and infrared cameras to record operations.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Testing Extremities<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The gloves tested in the chamber are the sixth version of a glove NASA began using in the 1980s, part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/spacesuits\/\">spacesuit design<\/a> called the Extravehicular Mobility Unit. Optimized for spacewalks at the International Space Station, the suit is so intricate it\u2019s essentially a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/spacesuits-built-to-handle-pressure\/\">personal spacecraft<\/a>. Testing in CITADEL at minus 352 F (minus 213 C) showed the legacy glove would not meet thermal requirements in the more challenging environment of the lunar South Pole. Results haven\u2019t yet been fully analyzed from boot testing, which used a lunar surface suit prototype called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/exploration-extravehicular-mobility-unit-xemu\/\">Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit<\/a>. NASA\u2019s reference design of an advanced suit architecture, this spacesuit features enhanced fit, mobility, and safety.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to spotting vulnerabilities with existing suits, the CITADEL experiments will help NASA prepare criteria for standardized, repeatable, and inexpensive test methods for the next-generation lunar suit being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-taps-axiom-space-for-first-artemis-moonwalking-spacesuits\/\">built by Axiom Space<\/a> \u2014 the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit, which NASA astronauts will wear during the Artemis III mission.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis test is looking to identify what the limits are: How long can that glove or boot be in that lunar environment?\u201d said Shane McFarland, technology development lead for the Advanced Suit Team at NASA Johnson. \u201cWe want to quantify what our capability gap is for the current hardware so we can give that information to the Artemis suit vendor, and we also want to develop this unique test capability to assess future hardware designs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the past, astronauts themselves have been part of thermal testing. For gloves, an astronaut inserted a gloved hand into a chilled \u201cglove box,\u201d grabbed a frigid object, and held it until their skin temperature dropped as low as 50 F (10 C). McFarland stressed that such human-in-the-loop testing remains essential to ensuring future spacesuit safety but doesn\u2019t produce the consistent data the team is looking for with the CITADEL testing.<\/p>\n<p>To obtain objective feedback, the CITADEL testing team used a custom-built <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/nesc\/advancing-human-spaceflight-safety\/\">manikin hand<\/a> and foot. A system of fluid loops mimicked the flow of warm blood through the appendages, while dozens of temperature and heat flux sensors provided data from inside gloves and boots.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy using CITADEL and modern manikin technology, we can test design iterations faster and at much lower cost than traditional human-in-the-loop testing,\u201d said Morgan Abney, NASA technical fellow for Environmental Control and Life Support, who conceived the glove testing effort. \u201cNow we can really push the envelope on next-generation suit designs and have confidence we understand the risks. We\u2019re one step closer to landing astronauts back on the Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts\/houston-we-have-a-podcast\/commercial-lunar-spacesuits\/\"  class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"Houston, We Have a Podcast: next-generation spacesuits\"><br \/>\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Houston, We Have a Podcast: next-generation spacesuits<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/how-nasas-perseverance-is-helping-prepare-astronauts-for-mars\/\"  class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"Why NASA\u2019s Perseverance rover carries spacesuit materials\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Why NASA\u2019s Perseverance rover carries spacesuit materials<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>News Media Contact<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Melissa Pamer<br \/>Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.<br \/>626-314-4928<br \/><a href=\"mailto:melissa.pamer@jpl.nasa.gov\">melissa.pamer@jpl.nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2025-060<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&#038;text=NASA%20Tests%20Key%20Spacesuit%20Parts%20Inside%20This%20Icy%20Chamber&#038;%23038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fartemis-3%2Fnasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fartemis-3%2Fnasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fartemis-3%2Fnasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Apr 24, 2025<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-iii-nasas-first-human-mission-to-the-lunar-south-pole\/\">Artemis 3<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/moon\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth&#039;s Moon<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-systems-development-mission-directorate\/\">Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/jpl\/\">Jet Propulsion Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/for-professionals\/courses-curriculums\/nasa-engineering-safety-center-academy\/\">NASA Engineering &amp; Safety Center Academy<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/spacesuits\/\">Spacesuits<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/extravehicular-activity-and-human-surface-mobility\/\">xEVA &amp; Human Surface Mobility<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\n<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/ames\/nasas-curiosity-rover-may-have-solved-mars-missing-carbonate-mystery\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?w=270\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg 1896w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=270,300 270w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=768,855 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=920,1024 920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=1380,1536 1380w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=1840,2048 1840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=359,400 359w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=539,600 539w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=809,900 809w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=1078,1200 1078w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-pia26554-curiosity-surveys-the-ubajara-sampling-site-4-figure-a.jpg?resize=1797,2000 1797w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA\u2019s Curiosity Rover May Have Solved Mars&#8217; Missing Carbonate Mystery<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/directorates\/smd\/earth-science-division\/earth-science-technology-office\/nasa-aims-to-fly-first-quantum-sensor-for-gravity-measurements\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/svs\/a010000\/a011200\/a011234\/cover-1024g.jpg\" ><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Aims to Fly First Quantum Sensor for Gravity Measurements<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-md color-carbon-60\">Researchers from NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, private companies, and academic institutions are&hellip;<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 week ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/johnson\/michael-ciancone-builds-a-lasting-legacy-in-human-spaceflight\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"252\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?w=252\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg 2300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=252,300 252w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=768,915 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=860,1024 860w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=1289,1536 1289w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=1719,2048 1719w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=336,400 336w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=504,600 504w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=755,900 755w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=1007,1200 1007w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ksc-2009-cropped.jpg?resize=1679,2000 1679w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Michael Ciancone Builds a Lasting Legacy in Human Spaceflight\u00a0<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 week ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover Related Topics<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-3\/nasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber\/#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Missions<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-1.jpg\" ><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-3\/nasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber\/#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Humans in Space<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-2.jpg\" ><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-3\/nasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber\/#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Climate Change<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-3.jpg\" ><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-3\/nasa-tests-key-spacesuit-parts-inside-this-icy-chamber\/#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Solar System<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-4.jpg\" ><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A JPL facility built to support potential robotic spacecraft missions to frozen ocean worlds helps engineers develop safety tests for next-generation spacesuits. When NASA astronauts return to the Moon under the Artemis campaign and eventually venture farther into the solar system, they will encounter conditions harsher than any humans have experienced before. Ensuring next-generation spacesuits [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16342,15596,16163,15607,16481,16482,16483],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-205389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artemis-3","category-earths-moon","category-exploration-systems-development-mission-directorate","category-jet-propulsion-laboratory","category-nasa-engineering-safety-center-academy","category-spacesuits","category-xeva-human-surface-mobility"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=205389"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205389\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":205859,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/205389\/revisions\/205859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=205389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=205389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=205389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}