We are building a flight certified space suit for the burgeoning commercial space industry!
At FFD, we are working together to bring our vision of a lightweight, inexpensive, and highly functional space suit to the new space industry. Our Kickstarter goal, the FFD Third Generation (3G) Suit, will be built to conform to the standards of NASA flight certification to the best of our ability, and will feature upgrades to our 2011 Second Generation (2G) Suit (pictured with Nik), including a higher operating pressure, a carbon fiber waist ring, a retractable helmet, and improved gloves and glove disconnects. Our plan is to complete construction of this 3G Suit before 2013.
Our 3G suit is intended for IVA, or Intra Vehicular Activity, that is, launch and re-entry, for commercial space providers both suborbital and orbital. Basically IVA suits are a safety backup in case of an emergency loss of cabin pressure, like the oxygen masks in commercial airliners. The future commercial space industry (SpaceX, Boeing, Sierra Nevada, Virgin, Armadillo, XCOR, etc) will need these suits for the basic safety of manned flights. Current NASA suits cost well into the millions, while our 3G is intended to retail for a small fraction of this.
We need your help to make this new suit! While our costs are comparatively modest, space suits are expensive. Every little bit helps us to pay for the materials, equipment and tooling required to make high technology safety garments.
Our Rewards reflect the complex and cool world of space suit design, and include some authentic components and even a complete suit:
Here are some links to press on this project:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/07/new-york-spacesuits/
http://www.space.com/16197-spaceflight-startup-fund-spacesuits.html
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/27/all_spaceman_2012_07_13_bk.html
http://www.gizmag.com/final-frontier-design-space-suit/23018/
http://www.innovationnewsdaily.com/1290-spaceflight-startup-fund-spacesuits.html
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/07/11/brooklynites-look-to-launch-into-space-suit-industry/
FAQ
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The FFD space suit is custom built to your body. However, there are 11 individual sizing points along the suit to ensure a comfortable fit due to body size variation after diet or prolonged exposure to microgravity.
386
Backers
$27,632
pledged of $20,000 goal
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Funding period
Jun 15, 2012 -
Jul 15, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 5 backed
- Ted Southern 347 friends
- Website: finalfrontierdesign.com
Pledge $3 or more
54 backers
Postcard with new 3G suit diagram!
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $10 or more
169 backers
FFD Patch! Presented on an Official Certificate of Appreciation (OCA) from the partners of FFD. Iron on.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $40 or more
86 backers
Above + T-Shirt - FFD logo on the front left chest, Diagram of our 3G Suit on the back. Sizes available.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $70 or more
8 backers
Above + Hand painted, suited plaster cast Figurine in a launch cradle!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $100 or more
11 backers
Above + Valsalva Device - Hand Sculpted by FFD, this unique object is designed to plug your nostrils, in order to clear your ears, without the aid of your hands, inside of a space suit. Velcro mounted on a clear acrylic stand, with a plastic embossed commemorative plaque. Available in your choice of ANY COLOR!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $350 or more
2 backers
Above + Communications Cap - FFD's unique patterned Comm Cap is a fashion statement (for a space geek) and can interface with your headsets and phone microphones. Electronics not included. Available in your choice of colors: Light Blue, Dark Blue, International Orange, or White
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $550 or more
1 backer
Above + Anit-G Pants - Zero Gravity Level: Our custom Anti-G pants provide tight pressure to the flesh and muscle of the legs, to prevent Orthostatic Intolerance- or blacking out- from high G loading. Similar to those used by fighter pilots and astronauts, these are velcro adjustable and comfortable for long plane flights and leg heavy workouts like skiing.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers
Above + Helmet and Studio Visit - Suborbital Level: Own a prototype of our space suit helmet with a polycarbonate visor, and visit our Lab for a day. Photo ops available. At the Suborbital Level and above, we are offering real space suit hardware (though it is not flight certified) and therefor are required by the Department of Defense to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of ITAR, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Get your very own, personalized, ITAR paperwork from FFD and participate in the unfortunate militarization of space! Export of hardware or data relating to these components is highly restricted, so be forewarned. US citizenship is generally required; special requests from foreign nationals can be obliged with an additional fee and lots more paperwork…
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
1 backer
Above + Spacesuit Glove - Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Level: In addition to a Helmet and a Lab Visit, receive a pressure garment glove and try on our space suit in the studio! ITAR Compliance Required (see Suborbital Level).
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
1 backer
A Complete Space Suit! - Interstellar Space Level: At the Interstellar Space Level, we offer a complete IVA space suit custom built to your sizing. Come pick it up at our studio for a demo! ITAR Compliance Required (see Suborbital Level)
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
