NASA’s astronauts are preparing to walk on the Moon again—this time in a suit built for a new era. The space agency has begun testing a new type of spacesuit designed by Axiom Space, signaling a pivotal step in training for the Artemis lunar missions. These tests are taking place at NASA’s renowned Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) in Houston, where astronauts experience the closest thing to walking on the Moon—by diving into a 6.2-million-gallon underwater simulation.
A Suit Designed For The Moon’s Harshest Challenges
The Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) is more than a visual upgrade from its Apollo-era predecessors. It represents a major technological leap, purpose-built for the demanding lunar environment. Engineered by Axiom Space, the AxEMU is tailored to withstand extreme temperatures, rugged terrain, and long-duration extravehicular activities (EVAs) on the Moon’s surface. NASA astronauts will need to traverse dusty slopes, collect geological samples, and operate scientific instruments in conditions far more hostile than those faced on the International Space Station.
To meet these needs, the AxEMU offers enhanced mobility, better sizing flexibility to accommodate a broader range of astronaut body types, and upgraded life-support systems to sustain longer missions. It includes modular tools and adjustable components that enable more precise scientific work. The suit also prioritizes visibility and dexterity, giving astronauts greater control during complex operations. All of this is part of NASA’s vision for a sustained human presence on the Moon, starting with Artemis III.
Training Beneath The Surface To Prepare For The Moon
The recent training session at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory saw astronauts Loral O’Hara and Stan Love perform full-scale underwater simulations in two fully integrated AxEMU suits. As detailed in the Space.com report by journalist Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, this marked the first dual-suit operational test, with both astronauts suited up simultaneously to simulate real lunar fieldwork.
The NBL allows astronauts to experience neutral buoyancy, mimicking microgravity. In this controlled underwater environment, they practiced collecting rocks, navigating uneven surfaces, and coordinating team-based tasks, all while adapting to the constraints and capabilities of the new suit. These activities are not simply exercises—they’re essential rehearsals for what crews will do on the lunar surface. NASA used the session to evaluate suit performance, mission protocols, and systems support—verifying that the infrastructure is ready for real Artemis mission training.
This test also helped engineers observe how the AxEMU’s life-support systems function under simulated stress and coordination between multiple astronauts. Feedback from these simulations is now feeding directly into refinements of both suit design and lunar mission planning.
Why The AxEMU Is Key To Artemis’ Long-Term Success
Unlike the Apollo missions, which involved brief lunar visits, the Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. That means everything astronauts wear, use, and carry must endure longer exposure to lunar conditions. The AxEMU plays a foundational role in this strategy.
NASA’s choice to partner with Axiom Space, a private aerospace firm, reflects its commitment to leveraging commercial innovation. This collaboration has led to the development of a suit that not only meets NASA’s scientific and operational requirements but also sets a new benchmark for next-generation space exploration gear. The AxEMU is built with modularity in mind, which allows it to be adapted for future use beyond the Moon, potentially even for Mars missions.
By training with this suit now—well ahead of Artemis III’s expected launch—NASA is not only ensuring astronaut readiness but also advancing its goals of exploration, science, and international cooperation. The NBL tests serve as a stress-test for the suit, but also for NASA’s broader mission architecture.
What Comes Next In Artemis Lunar Prep
With the AxEMU’s successful underwater trials behind them, NASA’s Artemis crews are preparing for the next stage of training: surface simulations in lunar analog environments on Earth. These will further refine movement, equipment use, and communication protocols in conditions that replicate the Moon’s regolith and lighting.
Meanwhile, engineers will incorporate data from the underwater tests to adjust suit mechanics, joint resistance, and comfort factors. NASA’s timeline for Artemis III is aggressive, but structured—each step, including this recent milestone, builds toward not just planting another flag on the Moon, but learning to live and work there.
The success of the AxEMU is not just a technical achievement—it’s symbolic. It reflects the growing integration of private industry and national space agencies in realizing humanity’s ambitions beyond Earth. And as astronauts take their first steps in these suits beneath the surface of a pool, they’re preparing to step onto a surface not visited by humans in over half a century.