Dainese Returns to Space to Revolutionize Astronaut Safety

Following the September 2015 IRISS Mission during which Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen ﬁrst tested SkinSuit, Dainese is returning to space protecting Thomas Pesquet, who has been on the Proxima Mission since November 17, 2016.

The result of a partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Dainese Science and Research Center, and developed to be worn in the International Space Station, SkinSuit provides “loading” in the head-to-foot direction, in effect recreating gravity’s load on Earth, but in a weightless environment. SkinSuit aims to counteract the stretching of the spine in space, producing large amounts of vertical load without compromising comfort and movement. SkinSuit is completely made-to-measure by Dainese, requiring that over 150 measurements of the astronaut’s body to be taken.

Dainese, which has always made protection in dynamic sports its mission, conﬁrms its commitment to researching innovative solutions for the protection of humans and constantly looks to the future by exploring possible evolutions of the relationship between nature, art and science.

Dainese has in fact recently supported SACI, Studio Arts College International, in the symposium “From Galileo to Mars: Renaissance of the Artsciences.” The exclusive event took place November 12 in Florence, Italy, with distinguished guests including NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman; NASA astronaut, engineer and artist Nicole Scott; Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli; architect and designer Guillermo Trotti and artist and professor Lia Halloran. At the event, Dainese showcased its two space suits: SkinSuit and BioSuit. BioSuit is a space suit intended for the ﬁrst human journey to the Red Planet, expected around 2030, utilizing the “lines of non-extension” concept to apply the necessary mechanic pressure to the astronaut’s body without compromising movement.

The Dainese design approach has always been inspired by nature and its structures, recognizing the importance that innovation work at the intersection of design, engineering and science, aiming for the ideal balance between effectiveness, weight and ergonomics. The latest technology resulting from this approach is called D-air, the wearable airbag that today protects the human body in sports and which is being prepared for the mobility of tomorrow, toward Mars.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.