ESA Astronaut Completes Third Test of EuroSuit Prototype Aboard ISS

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that astronaut Sophie Adenot has completed a third and likely final test of the EuroSuit prototype, a European intravehicular activity (IVA) spacesuit, aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The EuroSuit prototype was developed by a French consortium led by Spartan Space, which also includes the sporting goods retailer Decathlon, under a contract with the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). The testing campaign aimed to assess how quickly and easily the suit could be put on and removed, as well as its comfort and ergonomics while being worn. According to NASA's daily updates on ISS operations, Adenot had tested the EuroSuit prototype on 11 June and 20 July. The testing sessions were conducted in the Columbus laboratory and appear to have been the second and third in a planned three-test campaign. While the testing campaign has been completed, neither CNES nor the project partners have issued an official update. Additionally, no footage or photographs of the on-orbit testing have been made public. The development of the EuroSuit prototype is expected to be followed by the creation of a final ground version of the suit. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will serve as a precursor to the development of a flight-ready version of the spacesuit. ## EasyMotion-2 Suit Also Being Tested Alongside the EuroSuit prototype, NASA's 20 July daily update described Adenot testing the EasyMotion-2 suit, which is part of a study led by the ESA. The EasyMotion-2 suit uses a commercially available electro-myostimulation (EMS) bodysuit that was adapted and qualified by OHB for use aboard the ISS. The study aims to trigger muscle contractions during or after regular exercise, helping to boost muscle activity. This technology could help astronauts to preserve muscle strength in microgravity while reducing the time and equipment needed for exercise during long-duration missions. An initial EasyMotion study was conducted by ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer in 2022, which provided the first observational proof of concept to further support the research team's hypothesis. However, the findings need to be supported by testing higher numbers of EMS subjects from International Space Station crew members for better statistical outcome. Following the 20 July test, NASA updates published on 30 July and 3 August described two further EasyMotion-2 sessions during which Adenot jogged on the COLBERT treadmill in the station's Tranquility module. The completion of the EuroSuit prototype testing campaign marks an important milestone in the development of a European intravehicular activity (IVA) spacesuit. However, the lack of an official update from CNES or its project partners has left the space community waiting for further information on the project's progress.