NASA has issued an order to Collins Aerospace for a space launch system for potential use beyond the International Space Station.
This award is the second in the framework of the NASA Exploration EVA Services contract – appointed for the design and development of a new generation space suit and support systems. The order has a base value of $97.2 million.
Collins Aerospace will complete critical design analysis and demonstrate use of the spacesuit on Earth in a simulated space environment by January 2024. NASA will have the option to extend the contract for the demonstration of the agency’s crew members outside the space station until April 2026.
With this second award for a new suit and system, NASA is one step closer to replacing the current design used by NASA astronauts on space shuttle and space station missions for decades. The new suit will support continued station maintenance and operations as NASA and its international partners continue to perform scientific research that benefits humanity and is critical to future Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars.
“We’re looking forward to receiving another much-needed service under our contract,” said Lara Kearney, extravehicular activity and human surface mobility program manager at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, which manages the spacesuit contract. “By working with industry, NASA can continue its 22-year legacy of presence in low Earth orbit.”
Under an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract, both Collins Aerospace and Axiom, which received the initial order for Artemis suits, provided proposals that meet station and Artemis requirements. The two vendors will continue to compete for future mission orders, which include repeat services for spacewalks and lunar missions after Artemis III.
Collins will be responsible for the design, development, qualification, certification and production of its spacesuits for the stations and support equipment in accordance with key NASA requirements. The agency will continue to have the authority to manage astronaut training, spaceflight planning and approve maintenance systems.
Credit: NASA
