NASA asks the public to choose its next spacesuit design
(above) option C: ‘trends in society’
all images courtesy of NASA

 

 

 

 

NASA is asking the public to participate in the selection of their latest space gear design, the Z-2: the newest prototype in its next-generation spacesuit platform, the Z-series. the space agency is asking people from across the world to vote between three potential prototypes, each possessing distinct memorable and functional attributes. take a look below at the candidates and their unique capabilities, and cast your vote here until april 15th, 2014. 

 

 

the ‘trends in society’ proposal reflects what every day clothes may look like in a not too far away future. the suit design echos the appearance of sportswear in the emerging world of wearable technologies, adopting electroluminescent wire trim as a stylistic detail, and bringing in bits of bright color into the scheme. gore pleats with contrast stitching highlight mobility, while various graphic patches featured across chest and legs of the garment are woven onto the garment.

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
‘trends in society’ proposal

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
the design reflects what every day clothes may look like in a not too distant future

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
electroluminescent wire trim glows in the dark

 

 

 

 

paying homage to space gear achievements of the past, ‘technology’ also incorporates subtle elements of future mechanical advancements. blue luminex wiring and light-emitting patches evolves the idea of spacewalking standards, by introducing a new way to identify crew members. the design includes electroluminescent wire and patches across the upper and lower torso, exposed rotating bearings, collapsing pleats for mobility, and abrasion resistant panels on the lower torso.

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
the ‘technology’ candidate

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
light-emitting patches provide a way for crew members to be easily identified

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blue illumination is places as both a trim and a patch on the torso

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
patches on the upper torso illuminate in the dark

 

 

 

 

drawing reference from the ocean — an environment which shares a similarity to the harshness of space — the ‘biomimicry’ design echos the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures. these underwater animals can be found at incredible depths, some of earth’s toughest beings, which reflects in the solid, durable and powerful design. segmented pleats at the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee, and graphic electroluminescent wire across the upper torso add a distinctly ‘deep sea’ feeling.

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
the ‘biomimicry’ design

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the appearance mirrors the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures

NASA asks the public to choose their next spacesuit design
wavy white trim acts as a stylistic detail

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electroluminescent wire across the chest light up in dark spaces