Astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong salute as China's Shenzhou-11 spacecraft prepares to launch on Oct. 17. (Photo : Getty Images)
China has presented new suits worn by the two taikonauts who are going on a mission to Tiangong-2 space laboratory. The new suits were shown to the public a day ahead of the launch on Sunday, Oct. 16, China Daily reported.
The two astronauts, 49-year-old Jing Haipeng and 37-year-old Chen Dong, wore the suits when they met reporters during a news briefing at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The Astronaut Center of China's spacesuit laboratory said that the new uniforms have different shades of navy blue, which is inspired by the color of the skyline. The suits are worn by Chinese astronauts while working here. The suit has a V-shaped pattern on the chest to signify victory in every mission.
The Fashion Art Design Institute of Donghua University in Shanghai worked with the Astronaut Center to design the line of suits, the china.ogr report said.
"Before we designed the new suit line, Chinese astronauts only had one pair of blue overalls that they wore both in space and on Earth, which cannot ensure their comfort in various circumstances," said Li Jun, dean of the Fashion Art Design Institute, who was in charge of designing the suits.
According to Li, the technologies adopted in the special design could be used in other sportswear in the future.
"Besides comfort during physical activities, it is also necessary to choose a color that brings calmness to the astronauts in the narrow environment of the space station," Li said.
The designers also developed other uniforms designed for other activities in outer space such as a special gym suit for astronauts while running on the treadmill or cycling.
The suits are part of the series of new autumn and winter suits for astronauts designed by the agency, using thick woolen fabric to keep astronauts warm. The other suits also include winter coats and outdoor training outfit.
The Astronaut Center, in cooperation with Donghua University, started designing the astronaut's outfits in May 2015, which include on-orbit suits, on-grounds suits and other accessories.
China has sent two astronauts through the Shenzhou manned spacecraft to the Tiangong-2 space laboratory on Monday, Oct. 17, another move in the country's quest to become a major player in the world space technology.
