NASA Selects SPF ¨ Sun Protective Fabric for "Space/Sun Suits" to Help Children With Allergies to UV Light

In 1997 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was looking for the ultimate ultraviolet (UV) protective fabric that was light enough to be worn comfortably. They were embarking on a worldwide project to help children with serious allergies be able to live and play in the sun. 

NASA's Sun Protection Team needed a fabric that blocked the most UV while still offering comfort and breathability. They soon discovered that most fabrics do not provide built-in UV protection. In fact, it seemed that only very heavy provided enough UV protection but they were much too heavy for anyone, but especially children, to wear out in the summer sun. 

After exhaustive testing and comparisons with many companies' fabrics, the scientists at Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston found only one company had the fabrics that offered the maximum UV protection while being lightweight enough for children to be able to play and live in comfortably. 

The company with the winning fabrics was The Solar Protective Factory. 

The Solar Protective Factory (SPF®) has developed Ultraviolet light protective "Space/Sun Suit" in cooperation with a team of scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, to help children with UV allergies enjoy a more normal life. 

NASA's office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization at JSC has worked with the Solar Protective Factory since June of 1997 to develop new and better fabrics for use in these "Space/Sun Suits." SPF's SOLARKNIT remains the only fabric that passed all the NASA tests. 

SPF's SOLARKNIT provides more than 99.9% protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays. Moreover, the fabric is light-weight, comfortable, breathable, non-irritating, and machine washable. SOLARKNIT is one of the wide-range of UV-blocking fabrics currently available from the Solar Protective Factory. 

SPF has been developing sun protective fabrics since 1990. Using Ultraviolet absorbing technology and superior construction techniques , SPF provides the consumer a safe, affordable, easy-care alternative to non-protective fabrics. SPF is dedicated to helping both sun-sensitive and sun-conscious people remain safe in the sun. 

The NASA/SPF "Space/Sun Suits" are designed to offer exterior UV protection along with pockets for an interior cooling system. The suit's outer layer consists of a jacket, pants, gloves and head gear (like a hood), including goggles. The fabric used for the outer layer is SPF's SOLARKNIT. 

It is estimated that several thousand children around the world suffer from various defects that cause either extreme sensitivity to light or problems in cooling their bodies. 

To date more that 100 children can now be outside during the day and play in the sun thanks to NASA and SPF's efforts. The Solar Protective Factory will continue to work with NASA to help develop similar UV suits for needy children in the U.S. and throughout the world.