Get the most out of your Inc. online experience by registering and joining the Inc. community today. Get access to all Inc.com content and priority invites to free Inc. networking events in your area.

Login using:


Or login directly through Inc.com

Innovation: The Ultimate Travel Accessory

Taking a trip to space? These are the gloves for you

By Nadine Heintz | 
Well in Hand The fabric gloves pictured here are suitable for use by commercial space travelers remaining inside a vehicle. An additional protective layer is required for space walks.

Thomas Hannich

Well in Hand The fabric gloves pictured here are suitable for use by commercial space travelers remaining inside a vehicle. An additional protective layer is required for space walks.

 

The ultimate travel accessory
Peter Homer has twice won NASA-sponsored contests for the design of a new space glove. In 2007, he won $200,000 for the gloves shown here. The finger joints are made of Dacron polyester fabric, rather than metal, as in traditional space gloves; the resulting gloves allow for easier hand movement yet are strong enough to confine a pressurized latex bladder, which is necessary to prevent the glove from ballooning in space. In November, Homer won $250,000 in another contest, for which he designed an added protective layer made of leather and Kevlar. After his first design win, Homer founded a company called Flagsuit, in Southwest Harbor, Maine. The company is designing the soft-goods components of suits for commercial space travel.

Well in Hand

The fabric gloves pictured here are suitable for use by commercial space travelers remaining inside a vehicle. An additional protective layer is required for space walks.

Read more:

  • Why the World Drinks Espresso
  • 9 Most Common Start-up Mistakes
  • 9 Circles of Customer Service Hell

    • Nadine Heintz

    The Goods is focused exclusively on products and services for business owners. We won't ignore the latest netbook or the hottest smartphone, but we'll also examine the services, software, and Web-based tools that can help make your business succeed. Nadine Heintz, a senior editor at Inc., edits The Goods, as well as Quick Hits. Send suggestions, comments, and deals to nheintz@inc.com.


    Sign-up for our Innovation Newsletter