China has revealed the design of its lunar spacesuit, which the astronauts will wear on their moon mission, which China believes will happen by 2030.
China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) unveiled the spacesuit on Sept. 28 in Chongqing, southwest China. CMSA has also started a campaign to name the new lunar spacesuit. The agency released a video showcasing the suit’s functionality and mobility. A technician wore the spacesuit, demonstrating the spacesuit’s design.
The major highlight of the spacesuit is its red stripes, which are inspired by ribbons from the famous “flying apsaras” of Dunhuang art.
The agency also said the spacesuit is an upgraded version of its Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuit named Feitian, which means ‘flying in space’. In contrast to this EVA spacesuit, the new lunar spacesuit is more flexible and lightweight, enabling the astronauts to perform their tasks in a low-gravity environment.
In the video released by the agency, the technician wearing the spacesuit can be seen doing various activities such as climbing stairs, squatting, and bending, showcasing the spacesuit’s ability to adapt to various human postures.
As reported by Spacenews the spacesuit is designed for the harsh conditions on the lunar surface. The spacesuit can withstand complex environmental factors, including vacuum and low gravity, lunar dust and regolith, complex surface topography, and extreme high and low temperatures. Along with a camera on the helmet to provide a first-person view the spacesuit also has a protective layer that protects the astronauts from a high radiation environment.
China aims to land its first astronaut on the moon by 2030, and if they do so, it will become the second country to step on the moon after the USA. However, NASA aims to send their astronauts to the Moon by 2026 through the Artemis mission.
However, It’s not clear if Axiom Space, the company NASA picked to design a high-tech spacesuit that can turn astronauts’ urine into water for the moon landing, will be able to do it. Axiom Space is currently facing a cash flow crisis, as reported by Forbes, and has laid off more than 100 employees, leaving the rest with calculated salaries.
