The race to innovate in space travel is expanding beyond conventional aerospace companies, with unexpected players entering the field. French sporting goods retailer Decathlon is partnering with the European Space Agency to develop a new generation of spacesuits, challenging the established norms alongside NASA’s collaboration with luxury fashion house prada. This development signals a broader trend of diversifying expertise in the space sector, with a focus on speed and accessibility – Decathlon’s prototype suit boasts a critical two-minute self-donning capability – and could mark a pivotal moment for European autonomy in crewed missions.
Known for its affordable tents, swimwear, and running gear, French sporting goods giant Decathlon is now aiming for a different kind of challenge – space travel. While NASA is partnering with luxury fashion house Prada to outfit its astronauts, the European Space Agency has chosen a path focused on accessibility and technical innovation. The result is a prototype spacesuit designed with a key advantage: an astronaut can independently don the suit in under two minutes.
The comparison between Decathlon and Prada’s spacesuits isn’t entirely straightforward, as their intended applications differ significantly. However, the move signals a growing trend of diversifying expertise in the space sector, bringing in non-traditional players to accelerate innovation.
Decathlon’s ambitions extend beyond terrestrial sports, leading the company to collaborate with the French space agency CNES, startup Spartan Space, and the Institute of Space Medicine and Physiology. Together, they are developing the EuroSuit project, aiming to create a new generation of protective and comfortable equipment for astronauts while bolstering European autonomy in crewed missions.
Speed and Innovation Take Center Stage
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The dark gray EuroSuit isn’t designed for spacewalks, but rather for wear inside the spacecraft during critical mission phases – such as launch, landing, and emergency situations – where every second counts. Despite its unassuming appearance, the suit incorporates several smart and practical innovations. Most notably, it can be put on or taken off without assistance in less than two minutes, a previously unheard-of capability in the space industry.
The prototype also features a grid-like structure in the helmet, flexible zones in the shoulders, elbows, and knees for full mobility in confined spaces, airtight zippers with ergonomic sliders, and adjustable length to accommodate the natural elongation of astronauts’ bodies in microgravity.
“EuroSuit is an opportunity for us to push the boundaries of innovation beyond the realm of sports,” explains Sébastien Haquet, Head of Innovation at Decathlon. “It allows us to leverage our expertise in textile and product development in an environment that demands the highest levels of performance and reliability.”
ISS Testing Scheduled for Next Year
The spacesuit prototype will undergo its first real-world test next year, when ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot will wear it during the Epsilon mission to the International Space Station. Her feedback will be crucial in refining a fully functional version – one that is airtight, fire-resistant, and equipped with integrated communication and a head-up display interface. If all goes according to plan, the final design could be completed by the end of the decade.
NASA Partners with Prada
While Europe is developing its own intravehicular suit (IVA) for internal use during crewed missions, NASA is working on a new generation of lunar suits for extravehicular activity. The agency has partnered with renowned fashion brand Prada, collaborating with Axiom Space on the development of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EVA) for the Artemis III mission.
“Thanks to Prada’s expertise in materials, manufacturing techniques, and innovative design, its engineers worked alongside the Axiom Space team to create a suit capable of protecting astronauts from the harsh space environment and enabling the first human exploration of the Moon’s south pole,” according to Prada.
A Milestone for European Spaceflight?
The EuroSuit project represents a significant milestone for European spaceflight – and a response to the European Union and ESA’s drive for greater autonomy in crewed space travel. If successful, it will be the first unified European suit for internal use in crewed missions. A brand typically found in shopping malls could therefore play a key role in Europe’s space program.
Source: DailyMail
