Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) has unveiled new spacesuits for astronauts that are lighter and more advanced. The spacesuit design which will bear the name Boeing Blue will be used for the first time on the Starliner, Boeing’s CST-100 spacecraft sometime in 2018. This will be on the trip to the International Space Station and into low Earth orbit.
Enhanced mobility
Some of the advancements that have come with the new spacesuit are rooted in ergonomics as well as in material science. Being lighter, the suits allow increased mobility for the wearer. Instead of a hard helmet, for instance, the Boeing Blue spacesuit now possesses a soft helmet that not only weighs less but also allows for increased maneuverability.
“Spacesuits have come in different sizes and shapes and designs, and I think this fits the Boeing model, fits the Boeing vehicle,” the director of Boeing’s Starliner crew and mission systems and a former NASA astronaut, Chris Ferguson said.
The Boeing Blue spacesuit weighs about 20 pounds making it about 10 pounds lighter than the current suit.
Improved temperature regulation
While earlier designs used metallic clasps, the new spacesuits make use of zippers to fasten. Improved materials and ventilation have also ensured that the suits have better temperature regulation. The suits also possess a new venting system that lets water vapor escape while not allowing air pressure to pass through. This also adds to the temperature regulation function of the suits.
The gloves of the spacesuit are also made with special material that enables interaction with capacitive touchscreens by the wearer. With the Boeing Blue spacesuits, the visor and the helmet are not separate and are incorporated into the spacesuit, unlike with earlier versions. And as for the boots, the new ones are more athletic now and Reebok is behind their design.
The first mission that the Boeing Blue spacesuits will be used in is part of the Commercial Crew Development program of NASA. They will, however, have to be tested by NASA before they are allowed for actual space travel.
In Friday’s trading, shares of Boeing Co fell by 0.84 percent to close the day at $167.70.