NASA Asks: Which Spacesuit Prototype Do You Prefer? Vote On Your Favorite

universetoday.com ^ | March 25, 2014 | Elizabeth Howell on

[BenLurkin]

If you ever wanted to participate in spacesuit design, even in a small way, here’s your big chance. NASA is asking the public to choose which design of the futuristic Z-2 “planetary mobility” suit prototype will be used by astronauts while evaluating how well the spacesuit works.

There are three options (which you can see above), and NASA promises the winning design will be used in pool training at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, the Johnson Space Center “rockyard” to simulate Mars exploration, and in vacuum tests. Outer space is not an option because of “micrometeorite, thermal and radiation protection” considerations, however.

[mikrofon]

What about fashion for the female astronauts ??

[Sparky21555]

And the choices are?

[suijuris]

lol! Looks like NASA has hired a couple of limp-wristed losers from Project Runway.

[109ACS]

Here's my choice.

[upchuck]

All three look like a variation on a common theme.

Which one do the moslems like best?

[KoRn]

If I were designing a space suit, I don’t believe I’d be seeking opinions from others that don’t know the first damn thing about space suits.

I personally don’t know anything much about space suits, and wouldn’t want to offer an opinion, because I know I don’t have any business doing so.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

[newheart]

Obie already voted. Poll closed.

[KoRn]

[doorgunner69]

Wait a minute, why are none of them in the homo rainbow motif?

This is hateful!

[PLMerite]

I'd have to go with the Barbarella model:

[Focault's Pendulum]

[blueunicorn6]

How are you supposed to see that octopus-looking alien sneaking up behind you if you’re wearing a hood? Nope. Give me a fishbowl and a speargun.

[SunkenCiv]

How about a big human-sized version of one of those hamster balls? Names for these designs really suck.

http://jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2/

[Two Kids' Dad]

All are ugly hunchback suits. Biomimicry looks like a sleeping back with issues, Technology looks like something out of Tron or Logan’s Run, and Trends in Society looks like something a smelly Subaru driver would wear. And are those purple hips with ‘tribal’ teardrop accents on the chest of the Subaru suit? Hideous!

[Two Kids' Dad]

sleeping back = sleeping BAG.

Oops. Preview is my friend.

[Svartalfiar]

Biomimicry: The “Biomimicry” design draws from an environment with many parallels to the harshness of space: the world’s oceans. Mirroring the bioluminescent qualities of aquatic creatures found at incredible depths, and the scaly skin of fish and reptiles found across the globe, this design reflects the qualities that protect some of Earth’s toughest creatures.

Technology: ”Technology” pays homage to spacesuit achievements of the past while incorporating subtle elements of the future. By using Luminex wire and light-emitting patches, this design puts a new spin on spacewalking standards such as ways to identify crew members.

Trends In Society: ”Trends in Society” is based off of just that: being reflective of what every day clothes may look like in the not too distant future. This suit uses electroluminescent wire and a bright color scheme to mimic the appearance of sportswear and the emerging world of wearable technologies.



Hmm... Maybe I'm missing something here, but their descriptions all sound pretty much like the exact same suit?

[driftdiver]

Does it come with an AA gun to shoot at US Spaceships?

[MarineBrat]

I suddenly need to answer natures call.

[Secret Agent Man]

that large opening under the mask is called a “dialogue hole”.