Vast reveals flight suit, tests timepiece for commercial space station

In a significant shift from the traditional approach to astronaut attire, Vast has introduced a new custom-designed flight suit intended for use on its forthcoming commercial space station, Haven-1. This innovative two-piece outfit is tailored for both extraterrestrial and terrestrial use, moving away from the off-the-shelf clothing that has been the norm for US astronauts for over 25 years. Drew Feustel, Vast’s lead astronaut and a former NASA mission specialist with an impressive 225 days spent in space, shared his insights on the evolution of astronaut clothing. "Over the last two decades on the International Space Station, astronauts have gradually transitioned away from wearing flight suits daily," Feustel stated. He emphasized that the environment in space has become more secure and increasingly resembles conditions on Earth. Feustel played an integral role in the design of the new suit, aiming to respect the rich history of aviation and human spaceflight. He expressed a desire to honor the legacy of flight suits throughout time. The concept of a standard flight suit for US astronauts traces back to the early days of the Mercury program, where the original pilots were captured in an iconic photograph wearing a mix of colorful military uniforms. Reflecting on the past, Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper noted, "When we were selected as astronauts in 1959, there was little effort to standardize our flying suits. The classic image in front of the F-106 jet illustrates how we pieced together our flight equipment from various armed forces." This new initiative by Vast marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of astronaut apparel, paving the way for future missions. In addition to the flight suit, Vast has also certified a custom Swiss wristwatch specifically designed for use aboard its space station, further emphasizing the company's commitment to enhancing the astronaut experience in commercial space travel.