Under Armour has released the spacesuit design that the company has teamed up with Virgin Galactic to create for the first space tourists. With this move, Under Armour is looking to further solidify itself as a performance-based company and distinctly set itself apart from other athleisure apparel brands. It wants to focus on how its apparel can help with human performance and is not simply something to wear while lounging around the house. Under Armour teamed up with Virgin Galactic on this project earlier this year and has been working on the design for the spacesuits ever since.
Pushing the Limits
In the past, the company has focused on helping athletes push the limits with its apparel, and now, it is looking to push the limits in space to create a design that will assist the human body with recovery and protection while going into and staying in space. This move is not just about a logo, but there has been a lot of thought put into the design and functionality of the spacesuits. These suits are not only going to be comfortable for the commercial passengers but will also take into account safety and functionality and will be wrapped together in a stylish package. The idea is that these spacesuits will help the commercial flyers perform to the best of their abilities while taking their flight up into space sometime in 2020.
Virgin Galactic unveils Under Armour spacesuits
Virgin Galactic, the space tourism startup that could be months away from its first commercial flight, unveiled its line of Under-Armour-made spacesuits for passengers.
Who Are the Suits for?
These spacesuits will eventually be worn by the approximately 600 people who are currently on a waitlist to enjoy commercial flights into space in 2020. These passengers will wear the spacesuits for safety and performance. The CEO of the company acknowledged how much different space travel is from anything else in the athletic realm but has also noted that current technology will lend assistance on this project. Great care will need to be taken to create the best spacesuits for the commercial riders, but Under Armour is up for the challenge and ready to innovate its designs to provide what is needed. The company is looking forward to being part of history in the making by designing these spacesuits.
Other Apparel That Will Be Available
While the biggest focus is on creating these spacesuits to ensure safety and performance while on these commercial flights to space, the company also has plans to take advantage of the market of people who will be staying on the ground. Under Armour plans to sell items like T-shirts to the general public that feature a space-like design that will incorporate the overall spacesuit design elements. In fact, these are already on sale on the company’s website to help build the hype.
The CEO of the company, Kevin Plank, also said, while there are no current plans for other merchandise to be sold to the general public, do not be surprised if you see more available in the future. For now, if anyone would like to purchase some spacesuit-themed Under Armour items, they are available on the company’s website.
How Under Armour Is Making the Suits
Under Armour has already gotten through most of the design process for the suits by using some of the same technology from other products already available to the general public. The company knows that it will need to make some alterations, but the great thing about building upon what it has already done, in terms of supporting athletic performance, is that it can use this same technology in the spacesuit project. Some of the technology incorporated, as announced on October 16, is the cushioning system called HOVR.
Another technology that will be included is the UA Rush technology designed to help with performance and blood flow during the high and zero gravity portions of space flight. This will be used in the base layer of the suit and will act as a second skin for the person wearing it. Additionally, there will be specific fabrics used in the liner to help with body temperature control and moisture management.
These technologies will be implemented into the suits in some fashion, and it is sure to be along the lines of safety and performance, while also implementing some current Under Armour technology and adding new technology as needed. Of course, the technology is just part of the design, as the companies both want the look to be right as well.
How Will They Look?
The final design has not yet been revealed to the general public, but we have been given a sneak peek. Under Armour has stated that it has taken some style and design inspiration from the classic spacesuit from previous missions, as well as some design elements from iconic space movies. The company has also revealed that the spacesuits will be colored deep blue with some light blue elements and some pops of gold. The idea behind the color scheme is that the blues are to reflect the atmosphere, and the gold is to reflect the sun. In addition to this, there is also an image of the sun casting rays onto the Earth, and there will be Virgin Galactic flight DNA symbols embedded along the spine. A few really cool and innovative final features that we know about are the multiple pockets that can be used in various ways and the push-to-talk button that will be used for the individual to communicate with the pilots when needed.
Under Armour is taking great care while designing these suits to ensure that they will be effective and stylish, so the space tourists will be proud to wear them. The spacesuits have been through many iterations of testing, and Under Armour has been getting feedback along every step of the way from the Virgin Galactic team. The company has sought feedback from pilots, medical officers, spaceship engineers, astronaut instructors, and the customer experience team. With all of this feedback, the spacesuits are sure to be a hit in space, and some of the designs will also be a hit with customers who remain on the ground.
Read: Under Armour’s CEO, Kevin Plank, explains why its Virgin Galactic tie-up sets the brand apart
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