Columbia Sportswear has partnered with Intuitive Machines, a space exploration company, to advance its technologies and material innovations. The goal is to “lay the foundation for a sustainable human presence on the moon” with Omni-Heat Infinity, a proprietary heat-reflective technology developed by Columbia.
Intuitive Machines will incorporate Columbia’s technology into the upcoming launch of its Nova-C lander. Through simulations, the company has determined that the gold metallic foil of Columbia’s fabric will help insulate the lander from the extreme temperatures of space, ranging from -156°C to 121°C.
“As an apparel company developing outdoor products for all seasons and activities, it’s crucial that we test our technologies in the most extreme conditions and innovate beyond our customers’ current needs,” said Dr. Haskell Beckham, Columbia’s Vice President of Innovation. “Drawing from the insights gained through this partnership, we’ll be able to develop new products that enable people to enjoy the outdoors in any conditions, ultimately making the outdoors accessible to everyone here on Earth.”
