NASA turns to crowdsourcing and lets the public choose spacesuit design

NASA has turned to crowdsourcing to allow the public to vote for the design of its newest space suit, the Z-2.

The agency has designed three options for the cover layer of the next-generation spacesuit platform, called ‘Biomimicry', ‘Technology' and ‘Trends in Society'. The public is be able to vote for their favorite prototype, and the winning design will quite possibly be tested out on future astronauts.

Biomimicry draws inspiration from the oceans and aquatic life forms. Its stand-out feature is an electroluminescent wire pattern across the torso that becomes visible in the dark.

Technology uses Luminex wire and light-emitting patches to identify crew members. Trends in Society is a contemporary design influenced by futuristic sportswear.

The prototype is the follow-up to the agency's previous Z-1 suit, named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2012 when it was launched.

"After the positive response to the Z-1 suit's visual design we received, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide this new suit with an equally memorable appearance," NASA explains on its website.

"To take it a step further, we are leaving it up you, the public, to choose which of three candidates will be built."

Voting is open through April 15 11:59pm EDT.