NASA delays jeopardize the 2024 lunar mission

NASA delays jeopardize the 2024 lunar mission

The next return of astronauts to the surface of the moon was now scheduled for 2024. Unfortunately, however, the date of a new human landing on our satellite may have to move away, due to delays by NASA itself in providing space suits to the crew. The suits, which cost a total of about one billion dollars, in fact seem to have not yet been fine-tuned in the optimal way, which should, if other unforeseen events not get in the way, happen no earlier than 2025.



According to what was reported by the Inspector General of NASA himself, the main reason for this delay in the development of the vital equipment is connected to the logistical difficulties that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused. The news immediately reached the ears of Elon Musk, former partner of NASA with his SpaceX project, who offered, if needed, to have SpaceX produce the suits.

Le xEmu, or Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit, are semi-rigid suits able to allow an astronaut to operate safely even in the sidereal vacuum and, given the very high cost, are designed to be reused several times. Equipped with advanced electronic and mechanical systems, as well as a whole series of dedicated viewers and sensors, the optimal development of this type of equipment requires, under normal conditions, at least 20 months of work. Definitely not for everyone, unlike sweatshirts, inspired by spacesuits, which you can easily find at this link.



For this reason, if it were ever to be agreed, the "disinterested" help from Musk in the realization of the xEmu for the new lunar mission, could considerably reduce the delay in the delivery of the suits and, consequently, facilitate the launch of the mission that will bring a crew back to the surface of the dear old moon.