SpaceX founder Elon Musk unveiled the first official picture of the SpaceX spacesuit, which seems to be a James Bond version of space gear. It was unveiled on his Instagram account on Wednesday. The image shows a person sitting in a spacecraft cabin wearing an ultra-sleek spacesuit. It looks innovative and elegant with its style and has a bright white/silver color. Musk said his space suits have already been examined in “double vacuum pressure.” He further said that it was difficult to balance aesthetics and function. It is required that a spacesuit must replicate Earth-like pressure on the bodies of astronauts.
What is spacesuit?
According to NASA specifications, a spacesuit (also known as Extravehicular Mobility Unit or EMU) must protect the astronauts from the perils of being in space - including radiation. The spacesuit must help the astronaut move around in space or in the International Space Station. It must also shelter the astronauts from the extreme temperatures. One thing that a spacesuit must have is oxygen so it can supply the astronauts with oxygen while they are in the vacuum of space and it must provide water for the astronauts during spacewalks. To protect the eyes of the astronauts from the bright sunlight, the spacesuit must have visors too.
The SpaceX spacesuit
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In the image shown, the Spacex Spacesuit seems to meet those standards.
In 2015, Elon Musk said that they had to make an effort in terms of both the aesthetics of their spacesuits and overall functionality/efficiency. He further said that the spacesuit must look like a 21st-century spacesuit and function well.
CNN reports that SpaceX suits are designed to be used on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Capsule that is a new spacecraft that SpaceX is developing.
It aims to send astronauts to the International Space Station. The new spacesuits will be worn by NASA astronauts.
SpaceX is competing against the Boeing to become the first private company to send astronauts and humans to the station. Until now, the government has been the only one that has sent people to space.
The designers
Elon Musk chose the famous Hollywood costume designer Jose Fernandez to design the SpaceX spacesuit. Mr. Fernandez conceptualized movie costumes for X-Men, Wonder Woman, Batman, Spiderman, and Wolverine, among others. He worked with Musk for six months on the design.
SpaceX hopes to send people on a trip to the moon by 2018. Musk also plans to send people to Mars by the 2060s. These spacesuits will surely come in handy.
