NASA incorporates Oakley's gold-plated visor technology into the Artemis spacesuit for lunar missions.
Oakley's Gold Visors Set to Revolutionize Lunar Exploration
In a groundbreaking development, Oakley's advanced visor technology is set to protect astronauts' eyes during NASA's Artemis missions to the Moon. The visors, featuring a 24-karat gold coating, will reflect harmful solar radiation while enhancing visibility in the Moon's harsh lighting conditions [1][2].
This gold layer acts as a specialized mirror, bouncing back the most dangerous wavelengths of sunlight that would otherwise cause eye damage in the unfiltered, extreme environment of space. The gold coating also helps improve visibility in shaded lunar areas where lighting is challenging, managing glaring sunlight and deep shadows simultaneously [1][2].
The visor system, a collaboration between Oakley, Axiom Space, and NASA, incorporates Oakley's next-generation High-Definition Optics (HDO) technology, adapted for the unique challenges of lunar exploration. The visors have a deployable design, enabling them to function flawlessly across extreme temperature variations on the Moon [1][2][4].
The internal components of the visor include a multilayer coating, an internal shield with high visible transmittance, and UV radiation filtration. These features ensure durability against abrasive lunar dust and micrometeorite impacts, while maintaining optical precision [1][2][4].
The gold visor is both a protective shield and a visibility enhancer, optimizing astronauts’ ability to work safely under the Moon’s severe solar radiation and variable lighting. The system reduces haze to optimize visual quality and clarity according to ASTM D1003 standards [1][2].
The partnership between Oakley, Axiom Space, and NASA reflects a broader trend of commercial innovation driving space exploration forward. The AxEMU spacesuit system, complete with Oakley's visor technology, represents a symbol of commercial innovation in the next chapter of space exploration [3].
The optical innovations and coating technologies developed for the Artemis program could benefit everything from aviation to extreme sports eyewear. In fact, the Prizm Cosmos technology developed for lunar applications could eventually find its way into high-end sports and professional applications on Earth [5].
The Artemis III mission, targeting mid-2027, will see astronauts wearing visors with Oakley's optical innovation and Prizm Cosmos technology on the lunar surface. Ryan Saylor, Oakley's Senior Vice President of Advanced Product Development, has emphasized that the next person to walk on the Moon will be wearing Oakley's next-gen High-Definition Optics [6].
This collaborative approach to space technology development could accelerate innovation in ways that traditional government-only programs haven't achieved. With Oakley's expertise in extreme sports environments, the company is well-positioned to contribute to the success of lunar missions and potentially reshape the future of space exploration [7].
[1] https://www.oakley.com/uk/en/articles/oakley-visors-for-nasa-s-artemis-missions [2] https://www.axiomspace.com/news/oakley-to-provide-visors-for-nasa-artemis-program [3] https://www.nasa.gov/artemis [4] https://www.oakley.com/uk/en/technology/prizm-cosmos [5] https://www.oakley.com/uk/en/articles/oakley-visors-for-nasa-s-artemis-missions [6] https://www.oakley.com/uk/en/articles/oakley-visors-for-nasa-s-artemis-missions [7] https://www.oakley.com/uk/en/articles/oakley-visors-for-nasa-s-artemis-missions
The gold visors developed by Oakley for the Artemis missions are not just innovation in space-and-astronomy, but they also have potential applications in various fields such as aviation and extreme sports eyewear due to their Prizm Cosmos technology. These visors, featuring Oakley's High-Definition Optics (HDO) technology, will aid astronauts by enhancing visibility under the Moon's harsh lighting conditions and protecting their eyes from solar radiation. The partnership between Oakley, Axiom Space, and NASA is a significant step towards commercial innovation driving space exploration forward.
