A technology inspired by spacewalk protection is now paving a way for regulation of “hot-flashes” associated with menopause. This technology is ‘Outlast’ which NASA explored in the 1980s.
Astronauts experience temperatures as hot as 250 degrees Fahrenheit in the sunlight to as low as minus 250 degrees F (minus 160 degrees C) in the dark, during spacewalks. They are constantly swinging between light and dark during spacewalk.
Outlast is capable of offering some comfort, although there is no biological cure to menopause, The technology which was initially meant to help astronauts deal with temperature regulation in the extreme space environments, is now helpful to manage menopause.
Fifty-One Apparel, a London-based company now manufactures these menopause-relief apparel.
According to NASA, Fifty-One Apparel’s fabrics makes efforts for a high-end feel based on “phase-change” materials. These materials facilitate maintaining a consistent temperature when a user is amidst an environment with extreme temperature fluctuations.
At the time of space shuttle era, NASA was trying to expand the use of the phase-change materials to orbit, through their Small Business Innovation Research Contract, which they had with Triangle Research and Development Corporation. Early research through this venture showed that the temperature-stabilizing fabric insert was working effectively inside of a spacesuit glove, mentions NASA.
Gateway Technologies is now known as Outlast Technologies and markets the tech under the name Outlast.
