These tests are particularly important as the upcoming Artemis III mission aims to send astronauts to explore the Moon's South Pole, where temperatures and environmental conditions are exceptionally harsh.

Initial testing revealed that NASA's existing glove designs would not meet the thermal requirements necessary for the lunar South Pole, prompting the need for new designs.

The glove testing campaign at CITADEL ran from October 2023 to March 2024, while boot testing is scheduled from October 2024 to January 2025, involving various NASA programs.

Future tests will focus on the durability of spacesuit elbow joints and fabrics against lunar regolith, simulating conditions that astronauts will encounter on the Moon's surface.

CITADEL employs a custom-built manikin to collect objective data, simulating human thermal responses to enhance the accuracy of the testing.

The chamber is equipped with innovative features such as load locks for quick material insertion, robotic arms for interacting with test materials, and advanced imaging systems for monitoring the tests.

CITADEL can achieve temperatures as low as minus 370 degrees Fahrenheit using compressed helium, significantly enhancing its testing capabilities compared to traditional cryogenic facilities.

Through these evaluations, NASA aims to identify the limits of current suit designs, which will inform the development of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit for the Artemis III mission.

NASA is conducting critical tests on next-generation spacesuit components at CITADEL, a specialized chamber designed to simulate the extreme cold conditions found on ocean worlds and the Moon.