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Vote For the Design of NASA’s New Spacesuit

By  //  March 26, 2014

NASA's Z-2 Suit is the newest prototype spacesuit

ABOVE VIDEO: The new Z-1 spacesuit is designed to be more maneuverable and more flexible. It features a large port in the back that astronauts can use to enter the suit from a vehicle.

NASA.gov — In order to protect NASA astronauts embarking on a new class of mission, NASA has to build a new class of spacesuit.

NASA's Z-2 Suit is the newest prototype in its next-generation spacesuit platform, the Z-series. As a follow-up to the previous Z-1 suit, which was named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2012, the Z-2 takes the next step in fidelity approaching a final flight-capable design. (NASA.gov image)
NASA’s Z-2 Suit is the newest prototype in its next-generation spacesuit platform, the Z-series. As a follow-up to the previous Z-1 suit, which was named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2012, the Z-2 takes the next step in fidelity approaching a final flight-capable design. (NASA.gov image)

NASA’s Z-2 Suit is the newest prototype in its next-generation spacesuit platform and NASA is giving you the chance to vote on which one of three design concepts will be built.

As a follow-up to the previous Z-1 suit, which was named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2012, the Z-2 takes the next step in fidelity approaching a final flight-capable design. Most exciting, the Z-2 marks several milestones for NASA:

• First surface-specific planetary mobility suit to be tested in full vacuum

NASA's 2012 Z-1 Spacesuit
NASA’s 2012 Z-1 Spacesuit

• First use of 3D human laser scans and 3D-printed hardware for suit development and sizing

• Most advanced use of impact resistant composite structures on a suit upper and lower torso system

• First integration of the suit-port concept with a hard upper torso suit structure

• Most conformal and re-sizeable hard upper torso suit built to date

CLICK HERE TO VOTE ON YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN