But that timeline is now incredibly unlikely due to the timescale required to have xEMUs ready on time – and despite having spent US$420 million on suit development in the last 13 years.
“NASA’s current schedule is to produce the first two flight-ready xEMUs by November 2024, but the agency faces significant challenges in meeting this goal,” the report states.
“However, a flight-ready suit remains years away from completion. NASA officials expect to spend over US$1 billion on design, testing, qualification, and development efforts before two flight-ready suits are available for use.”
Twenty seven companies are supplying components for the spacesuits.
Multiple challenges including budget reductions, the impact of COVID-19 and technical problems have also resulted in around 20 months of delay to the schedule.
With more delays anticipated due to the pandemic and technical issues identified during testing, “a lunar landing in late 2024 is not feasible”, the report concludes.
That hasn’t stopped billionaire Elon Musk offering to help, saying his company SpaceX “could do it if need be”.
