Astronaut Loral O’Hara testing Axiom Space’s AxEMU lunar spacesuit
Photo Courtesy of NASA
With this year’s National Space Day falling on May 1 and National Astronaut Day on May 5, Florida’s Space Coast continues to see a growing launch schedule and renewed interest in space travel. According to Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism, Brevard County hosted 109 launches in 2025, breaking the previous record of 93 — a milestone that solidifies its status as the Launch Capital of America.
NASA’s Artemis program is a major driver of that momentum. Last month, four astronauts traveled farther from Earth than ever before during the lunar flyby aboard the Artemis II mission’s Orion spacecraft. It has been nearly 54 years since Apollo 17, the last mission on which humans set foot on the moon. The Artemis II test flight aims to pave the way for future long-term lunar surface exploration.
A key part of the renewed interest in the moon is the new AxEMU lunar spacesuit, developed by Axiom Space. According to NASA, the suit has passed a contractor-led preliminary design review and is now undergoing extensive testing. Engineers and astronauts are evaluating mobility, life-support systems and safety features through underwater simulations, reduced-gravity exercises and more than 850 hours of pressurized testing. The goal is to confirm that astronauts will be able to move efficiently, collect samples and perform scientific tasks during Artemis III, NASA’s planned mission to return humans to the moon’s surface. The suit’s adjustable design and upgraded protection abilities represent a significant improvement over earlier models.
The Florida Space Coast plans to host up to 120 launches this year, upholding the region’s position as a major player in the next phase of U.S. spaceflight.