Virgin Galactic is pioneering commercial space flights with the vision of opening space to everyone, and Under Armour is supporting the mission. Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour, recently unveiled new gear to help space travellers enjoy their journey. This is an exciting time for both companies because the innovations in flight are taking humanity to new heights of adventure.
Under Armour has teamed with Virgin Galactic to develop spacesuits for commercial space flights. Kevin Plank is repositioning Under Armour as a human performance company, giving his business a direction for the future. Approximately 600 people are on the waitlist to take a Virgin Galactic flight in 2020, and Under Armour is going to provide the spacesuits and related apparel to make their trips safe, secure and comfortable.
The cost of a ticket on these first space flights is $250,000. The spacesuits these future astronauts will wear include footwear, a base layer, the spacesuit, a training suit and a limited-edition jacket. All of these items will be custom-tailored to each traveller, which will add to the uniqueness of the experience. While the suits will protect passengers, they will differ from NASA’s spacesuits. This is because Virgin Galactic’s passengers will not be in space for nearly as long as NASA’s astronauts.
The spacesuits will be navy blue with elements of gold and will showcase the Virgin Galactic DNA symbol and logo. Astronauts can customize their suit and will have a name badge along with the flag of their home country. The sock liners will read “We Stand on the Shoulders of Giants” in honour of Isaac Newton and the many other great thinkers who enabled humanity to reach the point of space travel.
Under Armour is using existing materials incorporated into existing products, including its cushioning system HVOC, to help make the spacesuits. Leveraging existing technologies to make the new spacesuits shows the versatility and value of Under Armour’s patents, business processes and talented designers. Kevin Plank is focusing his efforts on innovation and spurring new ideas throughout his organization. This is a necessity if the company is going to stay ahead of its competition.
Under Armour is promoting its relationship with Virgin Galactic as a marketing tool to entice new customers and strengthen the loyalty of its existing customer base. T-shirts promoting the alliance are available for purchase, which is helping to get the public aware and excited about the new direction Under Armour is taking. Collaborations with brands that excite the public is an effective marketing strategy that has the power to reinvigorate the Under Armour brand.
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and its many subsidiaries are familiar to consumers, businesses and fans of innovation all around the world. Virgin Galactic is a part of the Virgin Group, which also owns The Spaceship Company and Virgin Orbit. Virgin Galactic and its sister companies are engaged in pioneering space flight and making it accessible to the masses. Reusable space vehicles are at the heart of the company’s efforts to make space flight a reality.
Virgin Galactic is still in the development stage of creating a spaceline on earth. As the SpaceShipTwo becomes reliable and safe, the reality of space flight for the masses becomes more real. Other companies in the industry, developed by personalities such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, are also making strides in space flight, spurring competition among the innovators.
Kevin Plank founded Under Armour in 1996, designing a T-shirt he called “The Shorty” for use by athletes. It was a soft, tight shirt designed to wick away sweat from athletes to keep them cool. Since that time, the company has grown into an apparel juggernaut. During its rise, Under Armour reached a market valuation of $15 billion. While this valuation has fluctuated, it is still a dominant force in the athletic apparel industry, alongside some of the largest names in the industry.
Innovation and performance enhancement are at the core of Under Armour’s business. The company designs apparel and accessories that support athletes in their ambitions. Shirts, pants and shoes are among the products the company manufactures. The materials used in the production process, along with the design of the apparel, set this brand apart from other competitors in the industry. Athletes in a variety of sports, ranging from basketball to weightlifting, rely on Under Armour.
Under Armour is an innovative company that is supporting Virgin Galactic’s vision and mission of making space accessible to everyone. The gear and accessories needed to visit space are essential for safety, comfort and security. The possibilities for the future are endless, and it’s exciting what will come after the first generation of spacesuits and space apparel.
Dil Bole Oberoi
