Oakley is designing the visor for NASA's next lunar spacesuit

Oakley designs a gold-coated visor for NASA's lunar spacesuit for Artemis III in 2027.

: NASA partners with Oakley for creating a cutting-edge visor for lunar explorations in Artemis III mission, planned for 2027. Oakley's visor is engineered to overcome the lunar environment's challenges like UV radiation, temperature extremes, and lunar dust by employing High-Definition Optics and a 24-karat gold coating. This collaboration represents a significant step in NASA’s strategy to include non-traditional partners in space missions, highlighting flexibilities and innovations in modern aerospace collaborations. Testing of the AxEMU spacesuit at NASA’s Johnson Space Center assures that this advanced eyewear technology can enhance astronauts' safety and performance during the first lunar landing since 1972.

NASA, planning the Artemis III mission to land astronauts on the Moon in 2027, has partnered with Oakley to design the visor for the next-generation lunar spacesuit. The Artemis III mission aims to achieve the first human lunar landing since 1972, with the Moon's south pole being the exploration target. The partnership reflects a broader strategy where NASA engages unconventional collaborators to enhance mission success and expand expertise beyond traditional aerospace sectors. Oakley's background as a leader in performance eyewear makes it a valuable partner, bringing in specialized knowledge of optics for challenging environments.

Oakley's contribution to the project centers on its advanced High-Definition Optics technology, adapted for the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. This visor is designed to provide exceptional visual clarity and protection, utilizing a deployable two-part structure for light condition adjustments. In addition, a secondary helmet bubble enhances protection against UV radiation and lunar dust. The use of a 24-karat gold coating stands out, serving to reflect harmful sunlight while boosting visibility in shadowed lunar areas. Russell Ralston of Axiom Space noted that gold's intrinsic properties effectively filter light, a vital feature given the Moon’s extreme conditions.

The innovative visor is a crucial component of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, developed under a NASA contract awarded to Axiom Space in 2022. Current testing phases are being conducted at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Here, astronauts and engineers are rigorously evaluating the suit's performance, particularly assessing its durability against impacts like bottom falls or lunar surface abrasions. Michael López-Alegría from Axiom Space emphasizes validating the suit's integrity through real-world simulations at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.

Oakley’s involvement signifies a broader NASA initiative to incorporate non-space firms into the realm of space exploration. Other partners, such as Prada, are also contributing to suit design and astronaut comfort. This trend represents a shift in integrating expertise from diverse industries into the aerospace field, enhancing technology for lunar missions. Prada's role in design and Oakley's optical advancements underscore collaboration's importance in advancing technologies necessary for successful space exploration.

By extending its partnerships, NASA signals a new era where flexibility, innovative collaboration, and expertise from unexpected sectors are becoming central to space mission architecture. These collaborations not only introduce new technologies and innovations but also symbolize a modernized approach in preparing for humankind's next giant leap.

Sources: TechSpot, Space Flight Now, Vogue Business

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