NASA /Axiom Space Astronaut Unveils Flight Suit

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Astronaut Michael López-Alegría unveiled a new exhibit at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex this week that celebrates private spaceflight, noting that his experience with Axiom Space turned him from a skeptic into a believer.

"I went from being pretty skeptical, to drinking the Kool-Aid, and then I started pouring the Kool-Aid," López-Alegría told a small group of media and Visitor Complex guests on Thursday, referencing opening up access to space beyond government astronauts.

López-Alegría was there to unveil the spacesuit he wore when he led an Axiom Space mission, which was the first ever private spaceflight to the space station. He was joined by three paying customers on the flight in April 2022.

While flying in spacecrafts, astronauts wear special flight suits. Most people are familiar with NASA's bright blue or the SpaceX black flight suits, but Axiom Space has a look all its own in deep blue and black. Like Air Force pilots, astronauts wear a jumpsuit made of Nomex, which is a flame resistant material.

López-Alegría was selected by NASA in 1992 to be an astronaut and had a 20 year career with the space agency. During his time with NASA, López-Alegría flew on space shuttles Columbia, Discovery, and Endeavour. He also flew one mission on the Soyuz as part of Expedition 14 in 2006-2007.