KBR and Axiom Space Achieve Milestone in Space Suit Testing, Enhancing Industry Positioning.

KBR Inc and Axiom Space have successfully completed three crewed underwater tests of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit. The tests, conducted at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, evaluated the suit's integrity in a simulated weightless environment, confirming its readiness for future space missions. This achievement highlights KBR's leadership in supporting human spaceflight and next-generation EVA systems. The successful tests mark a significant milestone in supporting NASA's Artemis III mission to the Moon and demonstrate KBR's strategic positioning in the aerospace sector.

Houston, July 2, 2025 — KBR Inc and Axiom Space have successfully completed three crewed underwater tests of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) at Johnson Space Center. These initial tests, conducted in the NBL's 6.2-million-gallon pool, evaluated the suit's integrity in a simulated weightless environment, confirming its readiness for future space missions [1][2].

The tests involved an astronaut fully submerged while wearing the AxEMU, which is being developed for use on NASA's Artemis III mission. Throughout the tests, the suit remained completely sealed and airtight, demonstrating its ability to withstand the harsh conditions of space [1][2].

KBR's role in this achievement is part of the Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) contract, which supports NASA's evaluation of the next-generation spacesuit. The AxEMU is designed to be more versatile, reliable, and adaptable to the evolving needs of space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and beyond [1][2].

Mark Kavanaugh, President of Defense, Intel and Space at KBR, highlighted the company's leadership in supporting human spaceflight and next-generation EVA systems, stating, "Working in close partnership with NASA and Axiom Space, our team delivered mission-critical support that showcases our technical depth, operational excellence, and ability to advance innovative space solutions" [2].

Russell Ralston, Executive Vice President of Extravehicular Activity at Axiom Space, expressed pride in having KBR's expertise in spacesuit innovation support the AxEMU, noting that it will enable astronauts to return to the Moon with increased flexibility, mobility, and protection [2].

Together, KBR and Axiom Space continue to support the next era of human space exploration, helping astronauts train, suit up, and safely carry out missions in space. This milestone marks a significant step forward in supporting NASA's Artemis III mission and demonstrates KBR's strategic positioning in the aerospace sector.

References:
[1] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/kbr-and-axiom-space-successfully-complete-initial-crewed-spacesuit-tests-in-nasas-neutral-buoyancy-ce7c51dad989f020
[2] https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9510417/kbr-and-axiom-space-successfully-complete-initial-crewed-spacesuit-tests-in-nasas-neutral-buoyancy-lab