NASA has developed three new space suit designs to replace the current one which is starting to become outdated.

The three new designs are named “Biomimicry,” “Technology” and “Trends in Society.”  All of the designs are functionally similar, but are different in what they look like.  The first design, “Biomimicry,” is mostly a dark grey with lighter stripes of grey on the chest.  “Technology” is a light grey with spots on the chest and sides that light up.  NASA says that this could be used as a way to identify crew members.  The final design, “Trends in Society” is much like the first one but has neon green lines on the chest that also can light up instead of light grey lines.

The new designs will be much better for the astronauts wearing them.  Due to advances in technology, many changes will be made.

“It needs to be lighter and stronger, connection points and seal points need to be easier to take apart and put together, it needs to be less bulky and maximize dexterity and movement as much as possible.  It also needs to be cheaper,” said industrial technology teacher Todd Kapsner. “All they really need is something that works.”

One of the new features on two of the new designs is the parts that can light up.  These would light up using electroluminescent wire, which uses low voltage electricity in small wires to make it glow.  NASA is considering using this feature for crew member identification.

“Using it for identification, yes,” said Kapsner. ”For looks, no.  It is a waste of energy.  You have a finite amount, you don’t want to waste it for looking good,” he explained.

In the future, the space suits will have to be redesigned to utilize the advances in technology that occur and these new designs will also become obsolete.

“We won’t need space suits once we build the space elevator,” said Kapsner. “Spend money on a space elevator and a space dome and we won’t need space suits anymore,” he added.

The voting closed on April 15, 2014 and the “Technology” design will start being used this fall.  NASA will have to wait until more technological advances occur before we have a space elevator, however it will hopefully come in the near future.