Kadhim Shubber 

Vote for Nasa’s new spacesuit design

Nasa asks public to vote online to decide what its astronauts will be wearing in the 21st century, writes Kadhim Shubber
  
  

Nasa's new spacesuit designs
Which one will you vote for? The three possible designs for Nasa's new spacesuit: from left to right, "Trends in Society", "Technology" and "Biomimicry'. Photograph: PR

Of all the outfits humanity has worn, the spacesuit is perhaps the most stunning. Set against the dark abyss of space, the bulky white costume, with the helmet's visor mirroring the Earth, is a symbol of progress, bravery and adventure. But now it's being updated for the 21st century – and Nasa wants you to decide what the spacesuit of the future will look like.

Nasa's Z-series is the next generation of spacesuits, designed to be more flexible, durable and easier to use than those we currently associate with space travel. The first prototype, the Z-1, was one of Time magazine's Inventions of the Year for 2012. Now, the Z-2 has arrived.

Artists at the University of Philadelphia have created three designs for the suit, one of which will be chosen by a public vote. All three feature electroluminescent wire – probably owe more to raving than space travel. At the time of writing, the "Technology" design, which features a large electric blue figure on the chest, is the clear leader, with 64% of the vote.

But this isn't simply a fashion project. Developed using 3D laser scans of the human body and 3D-printed components, the Z-2 suit features include a revolutionary entry/exit mechanism that allows astronauts to leave their ships without the need for an airlock. A port on the back of the suit allows it to be attached to the outside of a spaceship, so that astronauts don't have to get changed inside the ship.

As well as freeing up room, which would otherwise be needed for an airlock, this method of donning a spacesuit prevents dust getting into the spaceship, a problem the Apollo astronauts discovered on the Moon.

To vote, go to jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2. It is probably the closest you'll come to being a fashion designer to the stars.

 

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