MLI Satellite Couture

Project Concept:  Wearable fashion made from recycled satellite materials for the lunar base. Recycling in orbit.  

The Vision:  Designer Laura Theiss transforms discarded satellite textiles, mesh, MLI foils, and other materials into wearable clothing designed for life on the Moon. This project is an experiment in recycling materials from satellites and is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Annually, approximately 3,000 objects are launched into space worldwide. At the same time, there are an estimated 40,000 pieces of space debris orbiting the Earth, most of which are non-functioning satellites. Recycling satellites is essential to ensure safety in Earth orbit. The increasing satellite traffic raises the risk of collisions with active satellites and space stations.

Astronauts on the lunar base will soon stay for longer periods. Sustainability in space will not only be an option but a necessity. As resupply from Earth is rare and expensive, Theiss envisions a future where existing materials from satellites are reused and redesigned on the base.

By reusing and recycling materials from old satellites, resource consumption can be reduced while promoting sustainability in space exploration.

This concept represents a visionary step. By creating garments from recycled satellite textiles, Theiss proposes a path toward sustainable and functional solutions for long-term missions in space, as these materials will soon be recycled in orbit.

Furthermore, life on the Moon for extended periods will require not only survival and necessary research but also creative time fort he astronauts. These practical, creative activities will be essential for the mental well-being and resilience of astronauts in isolated environments.

By merging aerospace materials, sustainability, and human-centered design, this project reimagines life in space, where nothing is wasted, and even discarded objects from the past become part of a wearable future.

The following companies are involved in the project, providing their materials:

HPS (High Performance Space Structure Systems)

ExoLaunch

ESA

ESA-Robotic Laboratory ESTEC, Netherlands

NEW SPACE INITIATIVE

Credits:

Photographer: Simon Stenger