The plan to develop new spacesuits for NASA and its future missions is a significant problem now, particularly with one of its commercial partners, Collins Aerospace. Collins Aerospace has been significantly delayed in developing the so-called 'next-generation spacesuits' meant for the Artemis and future Mars missions.
Moreover, there are now talks behind Collins's dropping out of the development program that would supposedly modernize the spacesuits.
NASA Spacesuits from Collins Aerospace Face Major Delays
Ars Technica's latest report got a scoop from Collins Aerospace's latest development on the NASA Spacesuits, with the company known for being co-awarded as much as $3.5 billion to develop these suits alongside Axiom Space. Presently, Collins' developments are facing massive delays, with the company already behind schedule on these new spacesuits.
Allegedly, Collins already 'overspent' on their budget under the xEVAS contract (Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services), and the company is regarded as 'underperforming.'
The source also suggested that Collins either renegotiate its position, centered on its work and budget or ask to be removed from the contract.
Is Collins Aerospace Dropping Out of the Development?
The source's speculations indicate Collins Aerospace's plan to drop out of the next-gen spacesuit development program. Ars regarded that there was no substantial information from NASA or Collins from their recent comments about the matter.
Collins is known for being a unit of Raytheon Technologies, with the company credited for their work on the Apollo suits.
With this latest development, the pressure is now on Axiom Space to deliver the said spacesuits, which are awaited for use on the upcoming NASA missions.
NASA's Next-Gen Spacesuits for Future Missions
There is a massive need for NASA to modernize and upgrade its current gear, particularly what its astronauts have to wear when venturing to cosmic locations, as well as for their stay in the International Space Station.
Two years ago, NASA named Collins Aerospace and Axiom Space, their two private manufacturing partners that would help them with the developments.
Last year, the first look at these new suits was debuted to the world by NASA, Collins Aerospace, ILC Dover, and Oceaneering, who all worked together for this significant step toward the future of space missions. This would effectively replace the iconic EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) , a 40-year-old design since the Space Shuttle Program.
Earlier this year, reports surfaced that Collins Aerospace's spacesuits passed several tests. NASA is inching closer to replacing its current gears used for various activities , including spacewalks.
However, the latest report is a significant problem to the mission, with the major delay affecting it already, and a chance for Collins to back out may reportedly happen soon.
