The new suit helps protect astronauts from extreme temperatures and lunar dust, and integrates gloves and an anti-glare visor.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) unveiled the lightweight spacesuit on September 28 after four years of research and development. This suit is designed to protect astronauts during outdoor activities in the harsh environment on the Moon.
Unlike the Earth, the Moon does not have a thick atmosphere, so the temperature changes very quickly, from about 120 degrees Celsius to -130 degrees Celsius near the equator. Astronauts will also face near-vacuum pressures and significantly higher solar radiation than on Earth.
The new suit will allow astronauts to walk, climb, drive and conduct scientific research on the lunar surface. The suit is made from specially designed fabric to shield astronauts from lunar heat and dust. It also integrates protective gloves and has knee joints to help the wearer move flexibly in low gravity conditions. In addition, the suit also has an anti-glare visor and a control panel with integrated communication system and camera.
The design of the white suit is inspired by Chinese culture. The upper part has red stripes, representing a balance between strength and grace, similar to a set of armor. The red bands on the legs represent the red tail of the rocket when launched.
In April, CMSA announced that development of systems to send astronauts to the Moon by the end of the decade is still on schedule. China’s plan includes two launches of the Long March 10 rocket to put three astronauts and a lander into orbit around the Moon.
The Mong Chau spacecraft and the Lam Nguyet lander will pair in orbit and then land on the lunar surface. The two astronauts will spend several hours on this celestial body conducting scientific research and exploration, then fly into orbit to rendezvous with their colleagues. Ultimately, all three will return to Earth.
The US is also planning to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo Program (1969 – 1972), with a mission expected to take place as early as 2026. This is part of the Artemis program. NASA aims to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.