When the next astronauts walk on the Moon’s surface during the Artemis III mission, they’ll be seeing the lunar landscape through Oakley’s cutting-edge visor technology. The iconic eyewear brand has partnered with Axiom Space to develop the visor system for the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), marking a groundbreaking collaboration between two distinct industries. This partnership represents more than just a technical achievement. It’s a strategic move that brings Oakley’s decades of optical innovation to the most challenging visual environment imaginable: space.
The visor system will feature Oakley’s next-generation High-Definition Optics (HDO) technology, the same advanced optical system used in their premium sunglasses. The lunar environment presents unique visual challenges that require specialized solutions. Light behaves differently in space, shadows run deeper, and the lack of atmosphere creates extreme contrasts between light and dark. The AxEMU visor system addresses these challenges with a sophisticated two-part deployable design that can be stowed when not needed and deployed for harsh lighting conditions.
Designer: Oakley for Axiom Space
One of the most striking features of the visor system is its 24-karat gold coating, which serves a crucial protective function, shielding users from extreme light conditions. The secondary helmet bubble not only shields users from UV radiation but also protects against lunar dust, a persistent challenge for equipment on the Moon’s surface. There will also be a two-part deployable visor with a sliding factor for adjustable protection.
Other features that will be included are tuned visible light transmittance, reduced haze for visual clarity, and multilayer coatings on both the internal surface and the secondary helmet bubble. The collaboration exemplifies Axiom Space’s strategy of bringing non-traditional aerospace partners into space exploration. They also tapped Prada for the outer materials of the suit and Nokia for the cellular network systems.
For Oakley, this partnership represents a historic milestone in their 50-year history. Ryan Saylor, Senior Vice President of Advanced Product Development at Oakley, described the responsibility of equipping lunar explorers with their technology as something they don’t take lightly. The company views this collaboration as the culmination of decades of relentless innovation in optical performance and visual acuity.
The timing of this announcement, coinciding with Oakley’s 50th anniversary celebration at their “Interplanetary Headquarters,” underscores the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of optical technology. The partnership ensures that when astronauts return to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years, they’ll have the clearest possible vision of humanity’s next great adventure.
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