Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit Spacesuit

The Environmental Protection Garment (EPG) of the next lunar spacesuit, the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU), is a system of garments that protect an astronaut from the harsh lunar environment, including abrasive regolith and extreme temperatures. The EPG’s stack-up contains 9 layers of fabrics and films, and the garment requires extreme attention to detail and perfectionist craftsmanship to ensure the safety of the astronaut. With a focus on functionality, mobility, safety, and comfort - we designed, built, and tested multiple iterations of the suit in 1G environments (Joint EVA Test Team (JETT) Field Testing) as well as simulated lunar gravity environments such as the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) and the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL). During each manned, pressurized run, we learned more about the garment’s fit and function, and iterated to incorporate test subject and crew feedback.

Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies

The NOVA-C lunar lander, designed by Intuitive Machines, landed on the moon in 2024. The lander carried 5 payloads to perform science objectives on the moon. The Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS) payload consisted of four cameras, mounted on the lander to provide coverage of the surface below the lander. The cameras, as well as their computer, each needed a softgoods thermal blanket to protect the hardware from the temperatures on the moon. The blankets consist of Mutlilayer Insulation (MLI) that wraps around the hardware and securely attaches to itself and the vehicle. The blankets were installed onto the lander in the clean room, shown below. Another set of SCALPSS cameras will be sent to the moon at the end of 2024 on Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander.

Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover

NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) will land on the moon to search for ice and other resources. The rover will collect data and map resources - ultimately helping to inform where we will land on the moon for future Artemis missions. VIPER needed 176 unique thermal blankets (MLI) to protect it’s sensitive instruments from regolith and harsh temperatures as the rover traverses the lunar surface. Each blanket must be patterned, test fit, built, inspected, and ultimately integrated into the final flight vehicle. The JSC Softgoods Lab worked on VIPER’s MLI for about 5 years.