NASA and Axiom Space turned to a well-known sports eyewear manufacturer to create a revolutionary visor for the new generation of lunar spacesuits. Its secret lies in 24-karat gold and technologies borrowed from extreme sports.
Preparations for the Artemis III mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon in 2027, are gaining momentum. One of the most important tasks is to protect astronauts from the destructive lunar environment. Intense ultraviolet radiation, sudden temperature changes, abrasive regolith dust, and the constant threat of micrometeorites pose a serious danger, especially to vision. “In space, the sun seems to pierce your eyes,” describes Axiom Space astronaut Koichi Wakata. An exceptional system of protective visors for spacesuits becomes critical to the safety and success of the mission.
24-karat protection
The challenge was taken up by Oakley, a company known for its high-quality sports eyewear. Its task is to develop a complex two-component visor for the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit. The system should provide incredible clarity of vision while protecting against UV rays, infrared radiation, extreme temperatures, and lunar dust. The basis was Oakley’s High-Definition Optics (HDO) technology, adapted for space. The visor has a folding design that can be adjusted depending on the lighting conditions, and an additional helmet for enhanced protection.
The most impressive innovation was the use of 24-karat gold plating on the visor. It serves a dual purpose: it effectively reflects the glare of sunlight and greatly improves visibility in the moon’s shaded craters.
“Gold has natural properties that help filter harmful radiation from the sun. In space, this damage is significantly higher than on Earth,” explains Russell Ralston, executive vice president of EVA at Axiom Space. This material is key to protecting astronauts’ eyes in extremely challenging conditions.
Fighting dust
Lunar dust (regolith) is extremely abrasive and penetrating. Oakley’s experience in creating eyewear for extreme sports such as mountain biking and motocross, where dirt and impact are the norm, has proven invaluable. The company has developed special multi-layer coatings and treatment methods to counteract the destructive effects of dust. Visor strength is a priority: it must be able to withstand even if an astronaut falls facedown onto the lunar surface, which is covered with regolith and rocks.
Beneficial partnerships
The AxEMU spacesuit, developed by Axiom Space under contract to NASA, is the first major redesign of lunar equipment in 40 years. The participation of Oakley, as well as the fashion house Prada, responsible for the design and comfort of the spacesuit, marks a paradigm shift in the space industry.
“Oakley is an unconventional partner in the space industry. But its participation symbolizes a modern approach: bringing in non-space experts,” notes Michael Lopez-Alegria, lead astronaut at Axiom Space.
These partnerships not only develop critical technologies for lunar exploration, but also expand the circle of creators of future space achievements. The golden view of the Moon is becoming a reality and will make astronauts’ vision safer.
Earlier, we reported on how astronauts tried on spacesuits in the cramped landing module of the Artemis III mission.
According to Space Flight
