A new spacesuit designed for astronauts hoping to land on the moon has been demonstrated in Texas.

NASA awarded Axiom Space, a company based in Houston, a $228.5m contract to provide the outfits for the first moon landing in more than 50 years.

The space agency is targeting late 2025 at the earliest to land two astronauts on the moon’s south pole.

The suits are designed to be more flexible than before, with Axiom Space chief engineer Jim Stein able to squat and twist at the waist.

Although the finished article will be white, to reflect heat and keep future moonwalkers cool, the suit displayed was black.

It also gives extra protection from the moon’s harsh environment, and will come in a range of sizes.

The company said it plans to have versions available for NASA training purposes later this summer.

The final version will be different, the company said.