NASA has been testing a specialized chamber called CITADEL to prepare astronauts for extreme cold conditions on the lunar surface. The chamber can reach temperatures as low as -370°F (-223°C), similar to what Artemis III astronauts will face in permanently shadowed regions of the lunar South Pole.
The test, conducted by NASA’s Johnson Space Center from October 2024 to January 2025, aimed to identify vulnerabilities with existing spacesuit designs and develop a standardized testing method for the next-generation lunar suit being built by Axiom Space. The chamber is used to simulate conditions found on ocean worlds like Jupiter’s moon Europa.
CITADEL is also designed to test astronaut gloves and boots in extreme cold, providing crucial information for NASA’s Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program. While test results are still pending analysis, the experiments will help NASA develop new test capabilities and improve the safety of its astronauts on future missions.
Source: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia26593-preparing-citadel-for-astronaut-boot-testing