Axiom Space & SpaceX Complete First Artemis III Integrated Test

Axiom Space astronaut and director of human spaceflight Peggy Whitson and NASA astronaut Douglas Wheelock recently donned Axiom Space’s next-generation spacesuit and completed the first Artemis 3 integrated testing with SpaceX. This milestone event supports NASA’s Artemis campaign, aimed at returning astronauts to the lunar surface by September 2026.

This historic test marked the first integrated pressurized simulation involving Artemis III partners—NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space—since the Apollo era. Conducted using development hardware for SpaceX’s Starship in Hawthorne, California, the trial represented a significant collaborative effort.

"Astronaut feedback is crucially important, helping to inform the engineering teams on any iterative changes needed...After this test, we’re able to further refine and develop innovative solutions to inform our single architecture design." - Russell Ralston, Vice President of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) at Axiom Space.

The Artemis III mission will see the deployment of SpaceX’s Starship as the Human Landing System (HLS) and the use of Axiom Space's Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU).

This recent test aimed to gather essential data on the interplay between the spacesuit, the lander, and the astronauts, ensuring all components work seamlessly together.

“We’ve conducted many tests with different people, including engineers and astronauts to ensure the suit’s advanced capabilities will enable a wide range of crewmembers to conduct extensive science research during the Artemis III mission to the lunar south pole,” - Russell Ralston, Vice President of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) at Axiom Space.

In less than two years, Axiom Space has made remarkable strides in spacesuit design and testing. The AxEMU design has progressed beyond the preliminary design review phase with NASA and is poised to enter the critical design review phase later this year. This rapid development underscores the team's dedication to delivering a functional and reliable suit for lunar missions.

Just weeks prior to the integrated test, Axiom Space achieved a successful trial at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL). This trial involved an unoccupied, weighted spacesuit designed to accurately simulate the Moon’s gravitational forces, which are one-sixth of Earth’s. Such tests are crucial for refining the suit's performance under conditions mimicking the lunar environment.

The next anticipated milestone will see an Axiom Space astronaut wearing the AxEMU during a trial at the NBL, marking another significant step forward in preparation for Artemis III. This continued progress highlights the collaborative spirit and technical innovation driving the return to the Moon.

As the Artemis III mission draws nearer, the successful collaboration between NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX exemplifies the synergy required to achieve the ambitious goal of returning humans to the lunar surface.