Tag Archives: nasa

NASA Astronaut Space Suit Can Koozie

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Because there are few things more enjoyable in life than sipping a cold one and playing space rangers, maker of outerwear-inspired koozies Puffin Drinkwear is selling this insulated Space Suit koozie. The can cover fits standard 12- and 16-ounce cans and includes a tiny closable backpack for storing other goodies like… actually, I’m not sure what. Glitterstim? Freeze-dried ice cream?

This is easily one of the top five koozies I’ve ever seen, and I will be buying one. Or rather, I’ll be putting it on my Christmas list and purchasing one myself after everybody lets me down like they have every other year. My family always asks what I want, I show them my list, and I still get a yearly membership to the Jelly of the Month Club instead.

Do you think this is what the real astronauts aboard the International Space Station drink out of? Of course not. They drink out of pouches, just like kangaroos would if they were smarter. There’s a good reason kangaroos haven’t been to the moon, you know. Granted, I don’t know what it is, but there definitely is one.

[via The Awesomer]

LEGO replica of the NASA James Webb Space Telescope comes with the same complex folding design!

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It’s easy to be amazed by the pictures captured by the James Webb Space Telescope while being completely oblivious to the sheer complex beauty of the telescope itself. For astronomer and LEGO builder @tonysmyuncle, the telescope itself represented a major leap in design and engineering, and he almost instantly fell in love with how complex yet ingenious it was. “I wanted to build a model to help others appreciate this incredible machine,” the LEGO builder said. “I hope this LEGO set will help builders and students worldwide understand the remarkable engineering that went into creating this enormous space telescope and learn the basics of how a telescope works.”

Designer: tonysmyuncle

The James Webb Space Telescope was so large that it had to be “folded” to fit within the rocket and “unfolded” after it was launched into space – a highly complicated (and expensive) action that required incredible amounts of precision and accuracy. “Just like the real JWST, this LEGO JWST model folds into a stowed position for launch, features all of the major moving components, and is roughly to scale with a standard LEGO Minifigure”, reads the project description on the LEGO Ideas forum. The replica even comes with the 18 iconic hexagon mirrors that make up the telescope’s light-gathering reflector module.

The miniature LEGO replica comes with every single conceivable component of the JWST, including even the secondary hinged mirror and that layered sun shield at the bottom. All of JWST’s major subsystems are incorporated, including the science instruments, and the propulsion, power, and communications subsystems. The model was designed to fold and unfold exactly like the real telescope, aiming at allowing LEGO builders to really understand and appreciate exactly how complicated and beautiful this marvel of engineering is!

The NASA’s JWST project currently has 3,466 votes on the LEGO Ideas forum. If it reaches 10,000 votes, LEGO will turn the fan-made idea into a box-set that consumers can buy. You can vote for the NASA’s JWST LEGO build here.

The post LEGO replica of the NASA James Webb Space Telescope comes with the same complex folding design! first appeared on Yanko Design.

NASA Releases “Black-Hole Remix,” The Sounds of a Distant Galaxy Cluster

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If you want kids to care about it these days, it has to be on social media, so NASA has released a Twitter clip of sounds created by a distant galaxy cluster, presumably to reignite youth’s interest in space. I remember when I was a kid, outer space was all I could ever think about. Well, space, and how to sleep at night without getting eaten by the monsters hiding in my room. Little did I know at the time, those were the good ol’ days.

According to NASA Exoplanets (the NASA branch responsible for seeking planets and life outside our own solar system): “The misconception that there is no sound in space originates because most space is a ~vacuum, providing no way for sound waves to travel. A galaxy cluster has so much gas that we’ve picked up actual sound. Here it’s amplified, and mixed with other data, to hear a black hole!”

So what does it sound like? Kind of like a ghost party, with lots of moaning. And not sensual moaning either, ghastly moaning like you just bought a haunted house and are sleeping there for the first time. Don’t worry, though, you get used to it. Or at least I get so tired I pass out anyway.

[via TechEBlog]

NOMINAL Moon Lander pen is ready to launch your productivity to the next level

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Nothing is more inspiring than a tool that represents humanity’s best moments and aspirations.

It’s easy to take a pen for granted until you find yourself forced to use one that doesn’t work or doesn’t feel comfortable to hold. Mass-produced pens have numbed our minds to the joys of holding a well-designed tool, especially one that delights our sense of sight and touch. Fortunately, there is also no shortage of high-quality pens that try to bring back those age-old sensations with a modern touch. And what could be more modern than a pen inspired by a rocket that will take humans to their next frontier, a fitting metaphor for breaking through the barriers of boredom, procrastination, and banality to take off to new heights of creativity and productivity.

Designer: Mercator London

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $75 (10% off with coupon code “YANKO_ML_10”). Hurry, less than 48 hours to go!

Nominal, whose name was literally taken from a term used during rocket launches, made a name for itself with a highly successful 2020 run that brought a pen designed to resemble SpaceX’s historic Falcon 9. Inspired by a new collaboration between NASA and SpaceX to bring humans back to the Moon, the new NOMINAL Moon Lander puts a different twist to the “space pen,” allowing your mind and your hands to wander briefly and take part in the history-defining process of launching a rocket into space. Pick up the pen from its base, pop the cap module off, and land the pen’s tip on paper to write your thoughts and tasks down smoothly, unhindered by the weight of poorly-designed pens.

The NOMINAL Moon Lander is striking both in its design and its finish. Its brushed stainless steel body is expertly made from 18 individual CNC-machined parts and conveys both an image of strength and durability. Every part of the pen is meticulously designed, even for the parts you’re unlikely to see or notice. The base, for example, hides 29 recessed dots that represent the 29 raptor engines that will catapult the Super Heavy Starship to space. The pen’s grip has engraved hexagonal patterns, similar to the heatshields used in SpaceX’s rockets.

The pen isn’t just for show, of course, though it definitely stands tall and proud as a desk centerpiece. It is also a sharp tool you can use to wage war on work and todos, especially with the Schmidt P950M Medium Black pressurized refill that was specifically chosen for its smooth-flowing ink at any angle. The base can be easily detached to replace the cartridge when the ink well runs empty. The pen grip’s stainless steel surface is cool to the touch, and the patterns increase the skin’s grip, offering a more pleasant and stress-free writing experience.

NOMINAL Moon Lander Platform – Features a fineprint photograph of the Moon’s surface. It also fits an Apple MagSafe Wireless Charger.

And when the task is written and done, the Moon Lander can find its way back home to the optional Moon Lander Platform, complete with a printed photograph of the Moon’s surface. For those times when the rocket is away, that base can also be a home for your iPhone, especially because it hides a MagSafe charger inside. The base also serves as a fitting home for the cap Capsule Module while the pen is in use, signifying that the work is far from over.

Beautiful in both its construction and its form, the NOMINAL Moon Lander pen tickles one’s fancy and imagination every time it is picked up for what would otherwise be a rote or mundane task. Almost like a challenge to break free from the regularity of everyday life, the SpaceX-inspired pen delivers a tool that is both interesting to look at and even more pleasurable to hold and use, just as a modern pen in the space age should be.

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $75 (10% off with coupon code “YANKO_ML_10”). Hurry, less than 48 hours to go!

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This modular origami tent built by space architects for the moon unfolds into 750 times it size!

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Studying space exploration is a side hobby of mine so this extreme-weather resistant origami moon habitat is one of my dream homes. SAGA is a Danish architecture studio that designed LUNARK which is a modular shelter that expands and becomes 750 times its original size! It was crucial to design a structure that would be easily transportable (to the moon!), have a zero-waste ecosystem, and could withstand arctic temperatures and meteor showers – LUNARK does it all, in fact, it was taken out on a test run in Greeland by the architects themselves!

SAGA has one mission – make outer space a little cozier for future human inhabitants. The LUNARK habitat shows what can happen when the architect steps back and allows the extreme environment on the Moon and the high arctic to mold a habitat around human beings. LUNARK’s form was inspired by the patterns seen in a budding leaf as it unfolds and origami. It unfolds from a tight bud to a large ovoid shape with a rigid carbon fiber shell. Its exterior is tough as a tank while its interior is a cozy home with a sense of Nordic “hygge”.

lunark3

The main exterior of the habitat is made from a black glossy carbon fiber shell. The carbon-fiber structure’s sandwiched panels with a foam core for extra insulation. Carbon fiber is ideal because it’s lightweight – which is crucial for transport and unfolding – yet strong. The panels are connected by a white foldable composite rubber and the main load-bearing structure is an aluminum frame.

Starting from the size of a small car, the carbon fiber shell can unfold to 750 times its size. Inside, solar-powered circadian panels mimic the light cycles on Earth, aiming to improve astronauts’ sleep patterns and general well-being. It is designed to counteract monotony, claustrophobia, and psychological stress.

lunark1

With an inner volume of 17.2 sqm, LUNARK is designed to shelter two people at once. It is powered by a 1000 Ah solar-powered battery. It aspires to be a zero-waste shelter, leaving as little impact as possible on the environment. Inside the unfolding pod, there is space for a 3D printer (for printing spare parts if needed), stowage for batteries and water, and a living algae farm. LUNARK also has a series of in-built digital software systems, including a weather simulator to help break up the day-to-day monotony, and an algae reactor, to nurture and monitor a source of nutrition.

The main principle behind LUNARK is its expanding volume, as the structure expands 750% after transport while testing it was a great success as it was easy to unfold and strong enough to withstand the extreme environment. “The habitat worked beyond all expectations. The unfolding was possible by just two people and no heavy machinery – and in the extreme cold of the arctic. Furthermore, the interior design and spatial organization worked well. We are not trained professional astronauts, our tolerance is much lower. So we needed a much more pleasant living environment. We wanted to create a home, not a survival machine – and the habitat really ended up feeling like home,” adds Aristotelis.

Earlier in 2020, SAGA developed a prototype for LUNARK using the principles of Japanese origami folding with biomimicry. The two architects, Sebastian Aristotelis and Karl-Johan Sørensen, then went on a two-month mission to experience extreme isolation in northern Greenland where they tested LUNARK and its technologies themselves for future moon missions while enduring -30°c, hurricane winds, and hungry polar bears!

lunark2

In the two months spent in extreme isolation in Greenland, SAGA collected data about the performance of the unfolding origami structure and the circadian light panels that form the artificial sky inside the habitat. The duo also collected data about their psychological wellbeing, the impact of isolation, and how to deal with conflicts under extreme conditions which will help them make LUNARK even better for real missions.

“We wanted to make the most realistic simulation mission. If we as architects want to test the effect of architectural countermeasures in space we also need to simulate a realistic amount of stress on the participants (in our case ourselves). The cold arctic was the best bet for that. At the same time, the arctic has the most similar lighting conditions to the moon. It’s far away, remote and isolated so the experiment conditions forced our design to be easy to deploy,” said Aristotelis.

Having lived for months in conditions that resemble those in outer space, the two young architects collected a significant amount of data which they will analyze with a focus on human well-being and psychology. “The future looks great, our design worked better than expected which puts us on a solid trajectory to build in outer space,” Aristotelis concludes. SAGA is not only focused on making brilliant space architecture but is also putting the mental health of the astronauts at the core of their design which makes them stand out among all others on our planet!

Designer: SAGA Space Architects

lunark

The post This modular origami tent built by space architects for the moon unfolds into 750 times it size! first appeared on Yanko Design.

This NASA exoskeleton spacesuit designed for inter-galactic space exploration has strong Halo-inspired vibes!

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Imagine a time where humans have set foot on most of the planets in the galaxy, with even more to explore. This exoskeleton spacesuit coincides with that ultimate dream and our unstoppable quest for space exploration!

Venturing beyond the realms of planet earth comes with its unique set of challenges. The effects of gravity being on top of the list. NASA has put a lot of time and effort into developing new-age spacesuits to counter the effects of gravity in hostile environments. 14 years to be exact, and it has cost them a whopping $420 million already. The space agency is expected to churn out another $625 million in time for the next moon mission which was earlier planned for the year 2024.

That time frame is now expected to shift to April 2025 as the development of the spacesuit has been delayed a bit. Even Elon Musk has offered his Space X services to help NASA develop the next-generation spacesuits which will cost over $1 billion – more than the cost of the Falcon 9 orbital rocket. How these next-gen spacesuits will ultimately look like is still a mystery, but a futuristic exoskeleton spacesuit gives my wings imagination.

This jaw-dropping concept spacesuit is the work of designer Riyahd Cassiem who fuses the cool element associated with exoskeleton suits to the inter-planetary dreams we humans have embarked on. The Exo Suit Concept has a definitive Halo game influence to it – one can instantly relate to the fearless KAT-B320, CARTER-A259 and ALICE-130 characters. The reinforced suit is built for the harshest of situations, and the mechanical character means it is going to provide the wearer assistance in performing arduous tasks, otherwise too tedious in alien environments. Of course, it is made from lightweight yet stellar material for ultra-flexibility which is crucial.

I can’t stop myself from drawing a parallel with fencing helmet influence for Riyahd’s spacesuit design. This thing looks absolutely fit for a future where space travel is going to be the norm. A time where we have conquered the roadblocks that currently limit us in freely exploring the surface of the red planet Mars, or our nearest destination – the Moon!

Designer: Riyahd Cassiem

Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Jeff Besoz need to get their hands on this space-friendly luggage!

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Space tourism is currently a race and a status symbol amongst billionaires but it won’t be long before it becomes the next big travel trend…of course, the ticket costs will be out of this world for most of us, but we can still get the appropriate luggage and daydream! Astroneer is luggage designed keeping in mind the possibility of space travel becoming a popular ‘exotic’ destination in the future. Even if you aren’t going to space, the way bags are handled at the airport might make this NASA-level luggage an investment worth considering.

Travelling in zero gravity at insanely fast speeds already induces so many changes in our bodies despite training and protective suits – can you imagine what would happen to the belongings in your bag? Exoplanet exploration requires luggage that can survive with you. “We didn’t want future travellers to carry a crumpled carrier, with harsh conditions, rugged terrain and differential atmospheric pressure,” said the designer duo and made sure that Astroneer is modular and has no volume constraints – once again, something we on Earth could also use. Astroneer comes with bags of different sizes that can all compactly be packed into one unit. It also has increased liquidity in the environment with the suspension of wheels so that you don’t have to carry your bags even though they might be lighter in outer space, roll with it…literally. The CMF is carefully chosen for the concept to provide visibility in an environment where it is difficult to check the contents inside by giving electric signals to the glass which lets you adjust the transparency of the luggage – this might just be my most favorite feature yet. It also has internal environmental controls to protect your belongings!

So while Richard Branson went to space, he certainly missed out on having the coolest suitcase at baggage claim. Maybe by the time its our turn to take off, we can get an Astroneer in custom colors!

Designers: JooHyung Park and Sunjin Baek

 

These architectural renders give life to Elon Musk’s dreams of living in space!

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How many times have you heard “I just want to leave this planet for a while!” in the last two years? Very often, right? @sixnfive gives brings that sentiment to life with a collection of architectural renders called ‘What If?’ which is an ode to one of our greatest strengths – imagination. Imagination is a uniquely human ability to visualize unlimited possibilities starting with a simple question like “what if?” and the people who ask it often are the ones driving innovation. This collection explores the possible future move for mankind and probably what Musk has in mind through three elaborate acts

Act one: The Journey includes the meeting, the bedroom, and the dinner room. It represents our trip and the hope to arrive, but also the attachments of our mundane life, carrying memories of a previous reality. Act two: The settlements shows the Universe Edge, Summer House, and Landing Zone. It expresses our freedom to dream and imagine how our intergalactic holiday homes would look like. Act three: The Encounter, is based on human emotions of loving someone, missing someone and being guided. It is all about looking inward and looking from inside, the vestiges of our presence in an inhabited and quiet place.

It explores the perception of time, loneliness, and expectations but it also represents the hope to arrive. Yes, this is scientifically inaccurate but it expresses the freedom to dream and imagine via these zen visuals. Six N. Five is a contemporary studio working on advertising, editorial, and video commissions while finding time to create experimental work with CGI as a new medium for creative self-expression. Their refined imagination, poetic compositions, edgy minds, and sleek skills make the studio a hit amongst brands like Apple, Cartier, Cassina, Facebook, Givenchy, Ikea, Massimo Dutti, Microsoft, Nike, Samsung, Spotify, and many more!

Designer: Six N. Five

Meet the Cryptomotors Habitat-on-wheels – a luxury recreational explorer concept designed for alien planets

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Designed as an entry for a competition organized by Cryptomotors, the luxury sci-fi vehicle is basically what you get when you design an RV for another planet. The proportions of the vehicle may confuse you, but it’s actually a rather massive automobile with wheels that are easily 7-feet in diameter. The purpose of the vehicle was to serve as a purpose-driven luxury habitat on wheels. Spacious enough to host 2 people, it’s almost like a living space and laboratory on wheels… with a design that oozes futurism.

The Cryptomotors sci-fi vehicle (let’s just call it an extraterrestrial RV) comes with a chariot-like design, sporting a split wheel-base on the front. Its cockpit is reminiscent of the geodesic habitats often seen in sci-fi movies, large enough to fit two astronauts in and have them comfortably standing while they analyze soil samples or just go about their day (I just realized I really don’t know what astronauts do on foreign planets beyond exploration and science-stuff). The wheels are extremely interesting too – apart from being much larger than you’d expect, they’re made from a chainlink-mesh that NASA calls the ‘Spring Tire‘.

Designer: Facundo Castellano

Father of NASA’s design Program x Anicorn launched a NFT that offers an actual limited edition Space Watch!

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In early April of 2020, NASA announced the comeback of their iconic red-worm logo, designed by Richard Danne, the ‘father of the NASA design program.’ The logo is recognized across the globe and came to be NASA’s official logo only a few years after Apollo 11 landed on the moon back in 1969. Today, NASA has teamed up with watchmaker Anicorn to release a NASA-branded NFT (non-fungible token) that can be used to redeem a physical “secret timepiece,” designed by Richard Danne.

NFTs originally were unique tokens that could be bought to certify digital artwork, but they’ve since turned into digital pieces of actual artwork. Essentially, NFTs convert digital artwork into unique, coded investments that can be traded on the blockchain. On Rarible, a digital marketplace for selling and buying NFT collectibles, Richard Danne’s NFT-backed digital artwork was sold for ￡30,000. The digital artwork showcases a vacuum-sealed, spinning object that’s shaped like a coin and coated with a reflective chrome finish, placed in front of a jet-black background.

Once purchased for ￡30,000, the NFT grants its buyer access to a limited edition, Danne-designed Space Watch. Unlike bitcoin, NFTs are unique and one-of-a-kind, so they work somewhat like certificates of authenticity. In a truly unique twist, this NFT acts like a redeemable token – a “Collector’s Gacha” if you will, which entitles the owner to the actual physical Space Watch (which makes this NFT one of the most interesting mergers of digital design going physical). The buyers will also receive a high-resolution video and sound clip that reveal the timepiece’s production blueprint along with audio of Richard Danne’s design statement.

While actual images of Space Watch still hover somewhere in the digital world of cryptocurrencies and NFTs, it has been described by NASA and Anicorn as donning a sapphire watch face finished with anti-reflective coating and engraved with the code SB 001/150 on the Space Watch’s case back. Smooth Miyota 9015 automatic movement keeps the watch running for over 42 hours, while deep-water resistance of 50-meters braces Space Watch and keeps it afloat. The watch face is then held together with a black leather strap, matte-black buckle, and stainless steel bracelet.

Designers: NASA x Anicorn x Richard Danne

The digital artwork for the NASA-branded NFT features a vacuum-sealed disc encased in chrome foil against a black background.

In collaboration with NASA and Anicorn, Richard Danne designed the first NASA-branded Space Watch.