Taking Textiles to Space

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing for long-duration, deep space exploration on the Orion spacecraft—and the textile industry is aiding the agency in the research and development of innovative materials to make this mission possible. These new fabrics may also help future explorers to build “the Gateway,” go back to the moon, and eventually explore other planets, starting with Mars. The journeys back to the moon and further into the Solar System are massive undertakings requiring a lot of research and preparation. The space agency is collaborating with academia, the private sector, and the international community.