Columbia has announced an important milestone in its collaboration with space exploration firm Intuitive Machines, who are working alongside Elon Musk’s SpaceX for an upcoming lunar mission. By no later than February 26, the IM-2 Athena is slated to take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, boasting innovative textiles developed with Columbia Sportswear.
The brand’s advanced Omni-Heat™ Infinity and innovative Omni-Shade™ Sun Deflector, initially developed for outdoor clothing, will shield and insulate the Athena spacecraft during its lunar voyage under harsh conditions. Upon landing, IM-2 is set to bore into the Moon’s south pole in pursuit of lunar ice.
According to Haskell Beckham, Vice President of Innovation at Columbia Sportswear, during the IM-1 mission, we showcased the insulating capability and durability of our Omni-Heat Infinity technology. This technology, which is also used in our winter jackets and gear, was crucial in protecting the lander. Although we were thrilled about this historic achievement, we knew it was merely a beginning, a step towards fully realizing the true potential of Columbia’s patented innovations.
Columbia’s Omni-Shade Sun Deflector, which was initially designed for shielding people from intense solar heat, is going to be employed in the multi-layer insulation (MLI) blanket covering the lander. This technology, also used by Columbia in their warm-weather products, features reflective titanium dioxide dots that ward off solar heat. On another note, Columbia’s Omni-Heat Infinity technology will be utilized to insulate the helium tank of the lander, ensuring its safety from temperatures ranging from +250° to -250° Fahrenheit.
The brand is showcasing a collection in honor of the occasion, dubbed the Lunar Collection, which features designs leveraging advanced technologies similar to those used in the IM-2. Check out the gallery above for high-resolution pictures of the spacecraft.
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2025-02-21 21:25