Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, S.C., is developing a flame-resistant (FR) next-to-skin undergarment fabric for use on the National Aeronautical and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Artemis missions. Artemis III plans to again carry U.S. astronauts to the moon — for the first time in more than 50 years. U.S. industry is collaborating with NASA to create a Human Landing System (HLS) to take astronauts to the lunar surface. During this part of the mission, the astronauts are at higher risk of fire because of elevated oxygen levels.
Milliken & Company is working with professional services firm Jacobs under the JSC Engineering, Technology & Science (JETS) II contract with NASA to create an FR fabric that will be worn by the astronauts as they operate the HLS space vehicles during the lunar landing mission.
Milliken is contributing its expertise in FR materials, knitting, finishing, chemical analysis and material testing. Work began back in 2023. Now in its second phase, Milliken and Jacobs are finalizing prototypes and readying the fabric for delivery to NASA by the fall.
“Milliken views this project as an opportunity to support an American commitment to further space exploration, science and research that will positively impact future generations,” said David Smith, executive vice president at Milliken and president of Milliken’s Textile Business. “We are proud to do our part to help keep NASA astronauts safe during the Artemis missions.”
“This project feels tailor-made for Milliken — it’s the perfect marriage of the FR capabilities of our Westex® brand and the knit fabrics expertise from our Polartec® brand,” said Ramesh Kesh, senior vice president of Milliken’s Textile Business.
“Combine that with our manufacturing excellence and deep bench of patented research scientists and we feel incredibly aligned to support NASA on this development.”
2024 Quarterly Volume III
