Wary of Artemis IV Timeline, NASA Simplifies Its Lunar Spacesuit Design
NASA has decided to develop a simplified spacesuit variant with Axiom Space for its first crewed Moon landings, part of a broader push to speed up the Artemis program and reach the lunar south pole as early as 2028.
NASA disclosed during an internal meeting this week that it will use a simplified spacesuit, dubbed the "Sortie Suit," for its first crewed landings on the lunar surface. The decision was directed by Artemis Program Manager Jeremy Parsons, with Axiom Space developing the new variant.
The goal of the simplified design is to reduce the suit's mass, lower its complexity, and simplify how it interfaces with lunar landers. The Sortie Suit is intended for the initial landing missions flown on landers built by both SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Speeding Up Artemis
Since Jared Isaacman became NASA Administrator in December 2025, he and his team have been reviewing the Artemis program, which had fallen significantly behind schedule. At that point, it looked increasingly likely NASA would not return astronauts to the Moon before 2030, potentially letting China reach the lunar surface first.
With backing from Congress, Isaacman has already pushed through several major changes to accelerate the program, including streamlining production of the Space Launch System rocket, canceling the Lunar Gateway to ease the burden on landers, and working closely with SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Less attention has gone to NASA's work with Axiom Space, which holds a spacesuit-as-a-service contract and is currently the agency's sole provider of suits for lunar surface excursions. Spacesuits remain essential, however, since astronauts need functional suits to move around, take photographs, and conduct science on the Moon.
A Leaner Suit
About four years ago, NASA awarded spacesuit development contracts to two companies, Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace. Collins withdrew in 2024 after falling behind schedule, reportedly due to financial difficulties, leaving Axiom as the sole provider.
While Axiom remains committed to the project, sources have raised concerns about the pace of its progress.
