2025.09.25

"Space Technology Enriches Our Lives": An Expert Unpacks the Evolution and Future of Space Suits

#space suit

#space tech

#Artemis program

#SpaceX

#materials

#Deep Space Exhibition

#astronaut

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*The text-to-speech feature is generated by AI,
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Set for mid-2027, the Artemis program is an international project aiming for the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo era. Two Japanese astronauts are slated to join the mission. The key to its success? A state-of-the-art space suit designed to protect the astronauts from the harsh lunar environment.

How are space suits designed and how have they evolved behind the scenes?

To find out more, we sat down with Ayumu Tokaji, a 'space development evangelist' who also supervised the special exhibition 'Deep Space Exhibition,' currently running at Miraikan (The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) in Tokyo. He gave us the inside scoop on everything from the history of space suits and the latest cutting-edge developments to their potential applications in our everyday lives.

PROFILE

Ayumu Tokaji

After graduating from the University of Tokyo and its graduate school, as well as Stanford University's graduate school, Tokaji joined Lockheed Martin. He went on to work for various aerospace companies in Japan and the U.S. and served as a Project Senior Assistant Professor at Keio University Graduate School. He later became a principal research and development staff member for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) project at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). To date, he has been involved in developing four satellites. Currently, he works as a science and technology consultant for sci-fi productions and serves as a 'space development evangelist,' dedicated to sharing the thrill of space exploration with the public.

Extravehicular Space Suits: Built to Withstand Extreme Temperatures and High-Speed Dust

First off, what exactly is a space suit?

As the name suggests, it's a suit worn in space. There are two main types: 'extravehicular activity (EVA) suits' for working outside the spacecraft, and 'intravehicular activity (IVA) suits,' which are pressurized suits worn inside the spacecraft.