// PROTO-016 · United States

AX-3

NASA Ames Research Center · 1974
Prototype Experimental — never flown
AX-3 spacesuit

Technical Specifications

PressureTBD
Suit mass (1g)TBD
Life support (primary)Not publicly documented
Life support (backup)
EVA durationN/A
ProgramNASA Ames Research
AgencyNASA Ames Research Center
ManufacturerNASA Ames Research Center
First use1974
StatusExperimental — never flown
Donning / entryNot publicly documented

Engineering Analysis

Key Subsystem Architecture

NASA in-house developed hard-shell design — rare example of government rather than contractor design

Mission Role

NASA in-house hard-shell suit research program

Limitations & Failures

Not publicly documented

Program Lesson
"NASA occasionally developed suits in-house at Ames to maintain independent technical expertise alongside contractor programs"
Future Relevance

Government in-house design capability case study, relevant to current NASA AxEMU oversight model

// Related Suits

Same Program Family

PROTO-001 Prototype EXPERIMENTAL
Mk II Model O spacesuit photograph

Mk II Model O

USAF · B.F. Goodrich
1956
Pressure
TBD
System mass
TBD
Life support
Not publicly documented
EVA duration
N/A

"Established B.F. Goodrich as the lead US full-pressure suit contractor before Mercury existed"

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PROTO-002 Prototype EXPERIMENTAL
Mk II Model R spacesuit photograph

Mk II Model R

USAF · B.F. Goodrich
1956
Pressure
TBD
System mass
TBD
Life support
Not publicly documented
EVA duration
N/A

"Parallel development track alongside Model O testing different mobility solutions"

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PROTO-003 Prototype EXPERIMENTAL
Mk IV Arrowhead spacesuit photograph

Mk IV Arrowhead

US Navy · B.F. Goodrich
late 1950s
Pressure
TBD
System mass
TBD
Life support
Not publicly documented
EVA duration
N/A

"Naval and NASA pressure suit research tracks cross-pollinated significantly in this era"

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