The pattern of gold dots on Columbia Sportswear's new long-sleeve shirt forms more than just the silhouette of a lunar lander. It also represents the company's insulating technology used to protect the spacecraft, as well as outdoor explorers here on Earth.
Inspired by IM-2, Columbia's second trip to the moon with Houston-based Intuitive Machines, the limited edition crew went on sale to the public on Monday (Feb. 24), along with a graphic tee. The IM-2 lander, named "Athena," is scheduled to launch to the moon as soon as Wednesday.
"We proudly join Intuitive Machines on this second historic lunar mission, furthering their goal to return humans to the moon and lending our engineered materials to the cause. From our headquarters in Portland, Oregon all the way to the surface of the moon, we can confidently say our products undergo the most rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance," said Joe Boyle, brand president, in a statement.
"This partnership has allowed us to fearlessly experiment," he said, "and employ our technologies in the most extreme environments."
The IM-2 lander is delivering NASA and commercial payloads on a mission that will search for ice at the moon's south pole.
Infinity and beyond
Intuitive Machines' first mission in February 2024 incorporated Columbia's Omni-Heat Infinity technology to shield the "Odysseus" Nova-C lander's cryogenic propulsion tank. Derived from the multiplayer insulation used on NASA's Apollo lunar module, Omni-Heat Infinity was originally developed by Columbia for use in its winter apparel to reflect body heat, delivering warmth without compromising breathability.
Related: What is Intuitive Machines and how is it aiming for the moon?
With the data from IM-1 — the first commercial mission to soft land on the moon — Intuitive Machines expanded its partnership with Columbia. Omni-Heat Infinity is again being used on Athena, as is Columbia's Omni-Shade Sun Deflector, the latter to block solar radiation from reaching the spacecraft's instruments, just as it protects those wearing it from sunburn and long-term skin damage.
"During the IM-1 mission, we demonstrated the insulative power and durability of our Omni-Heat Infinity technology to help protect the lander the same insulation used in our winter jackets and gear. While we celebrated this historic moment, we knew it was just the first step in unlocking the true potential of Columbia's patented innovations," said Haskell Beckham, vice president of innovation at Columbia.
Omni-Shade Sun Deflector has been added to the blankets covering Athena's top deck, which will help keep the lander cooler by reflecting solar radiation away from batteries and avionics. Omni-Heat Infinity technology will be used on IM-2 to insulate Athena's helium tank as it is subjected to temperatures ranging from 250 to minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 to minus 155 Celsius) during the lander's operational phase on the lunar surface.
Lunar Collection
Columbia has set up a special section on its website to promote its technologies' use on IM-2, including as part of its online store, where a "Lunar Collection" offers both the limited edition mission wear and the company's regular offerings that use the same insulation as the Athena lander.
"Show your enthusiasm for space exploration," reads the listings for the IM-2 long-sleeve crew and tee.
The $45 black crew features a gold-foil print on its back inspired by the Omni-Heat Infinity tech, while the back of the $35 black tee has a graphic print based on the Omni-Shade Sun Deflector. The shirts are set to go on sale to the public at 12:00 p.m. EST (1700 GMT) on Monday after being available to members of Columbia's loyalty program for three days.
Other products in Columbia's Lunar Collection include men's and women's jackets, pants, boots and mittens, as well as an infant winter wear set. Also available are fleece beanies lined with Omni-Heat Infinity insulation.
The Lunar Collection builds off Columbia's single offering for the IM-1 mission. The limited edition Polar Powder Lunar Lander Moon Beanie sold out quickly in 2024.
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