NASA's astronauts and fuel tank will be dripped in Columbia Sportswear's Omni-Heat Infinity technology to the moon next year.

The recent collaboration between clothing brand Columbia Sportswear and private company Intuitive Machines will see itself in a lunar expedition by 2023. The shimmery gold material lining the inside of Columbia's ski jackets and other cold-weather gear will be used to insulate Nova-C's fuel tank.

According to Wired, Intuitive Machines is one of the few companies working with NASA under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, which aims to help humans return and establish a sustainable presence on the moon.

(Photo : NASA/Liaison)
060280 01: Astronaut David Scott gives salute beside the U.S. flag July 30, 1971 on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission

Interestingly, the sportswear company's vision aligns with Intuitive Machine and NASA's, which is to "embody the spirit of exploration." Intuitive Machines revealed on their website that laboratory simulations had been conducted with Columbia Sportswear leading up to the lunar launch.

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Behind Columbia Sportswear, Intuitive Machines' Collaboration

The collaboration between Columbia Sportswear and Intuitive Machines was first announced in 2021, as per a report from Columbia Impact.

Columbia Sportswear is prominently known as an outdoor brand with gears that withstand harsh conditions. Despite facing the challenge of venturing into space, Intuitive Machines has proven through lab testing that its Omni-Heat Infinity tech is fit to rise up to the challenge.

"Inspired by the reflective technology used by NASA, our Omni-Heat Infinity technology has been tested in many challenging environments on Earth, but the Moon represents a first for us," Columbia brand president Joe Boyle expressed regarding the collaboration.

The clothing brand's new Omni-Heat Infinity reflective technology, which features small, silver aluminum dots on the surface of its fabric to reflect radiant heat to the wearer, will be incorporated into Intuitive Machines' upcoming mission to the moon.

Fortunately, their researchers were able to confirm that the gold metallic foil of Columbia's Omni-Heat Infinity will provide insulation-related benefits for their lunar expedition. Additionally, the insulation will help to equip the lander against the extreme temperatures on the moon.

Intuitive Machine to Land on Moon in 2023

NASA selected intuitive Machines to build and launch its Nova-C lunar lander as the first-ever private company to travel to the moon, according to Community Impact.

NASA plans to launch three teams of 12 mission controllers to command and control Nova-C 24/7 during the mission, which will last for 21 days. Additionally, Intuitive Machine's feat will lead them to become the first Houston-commanded lunar landing since the Apollo 17 space shuttle in 1972.

The private company is set to launch on Dec. 2 at the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport to journey to the moon's surface, marking the United States' first time to return after 50 years.

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Written by: Andi C.