Vast Unveils New Astronaut Flight Suit and Certified Watch for Commercial Space Station
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Vast has revealed its new Vast Astronaut Flight Suit, a two-piece garment designed for use on Earth and in orbit by the crew of its planned Haven-1 commercial space station. The company also certified a custom Swiss wristwatch, the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot's Venturer Vertical Drive, for use aboard the station. Both items will undergo testing over the next year ahead of the Haven-1 mission.
Facts First
- Vast revealed the Vast Astronaut Flight Suit for crew training, events, and the Haven-1 mission.
- The suit is a convertible two-piece garment with features like back vents, shoulder gussets, and Velcro for tool storage.
- Vast certified the IWC Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive watch for space, designed with a glove-friendly rotating bezel.
- Former NASA astronaut Drew Feustel contributed to the suit's design, bringing experience from 225 days in space.
- Both the suit and watch will undergo testing over the next year for safety and compatibility with the station.
What Happened
Vast has introduced the Vast Astronaut Flight Suit, a garment designed for the crew of its planned Haven-1 commercial space station. The suit can be worn as a one-piece or two-piece garment by zipping or unzipping the jacket from the pants. It includes design features like back vents, shoulder gussets, pockets, and hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) for tool storage. Each crew member's suit will feature a mission patch and a designated place for individual flight badges. Separately, Vast certified a custom Swiss wristwatch, the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, for use aboard the Haven-1 space station. The watch was designed by the Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen and tested in partnership with Vast. It features a rotating bezel instead of a crown to be more glove-friendly and is designed to withstand vibrations and pressure changes.
Why this Matters to You
This development signals a continued expansion of commercial space activities, which may eventually lead to more diverse opportunities for space travel and related industries. The direct design input from a former NASA astronaut with extensive spaceflight experience suggests a practical focus on safety and functionality for future commercial crews.
What's Next
The Vast Astronaut Flight Suit will undergo iterative testing and material validation for safety, durability, and compatibility with the station's environment over the next year. The crew of Haven-1 is planned to wear the suit for training, events, and their mission in Earth orbit.