Why do astronauts wear gold visors? Can you imagine wearing 24-karat gold instead of a ski mask and admiring the sunrise every 45 minutes? Welcome to the lunar day of the Artemis III astronauts! Oakley, the iconic brand that has been setting milestones in eyewear for extreme athletes for 50 years, has developed a unique two-piece visor with High-Definition Optics (HDO) technology in collaboration with Axiom Space and NASA, which astronauts will test on the lunar surface.
While we complain about the snowy gorges of the Alps, astronauts at the Moon's south pole are jumping from total darkness into blinding sunlight without an atmospheric filter. Where the shadow lasts longer than the Wi-Fi signal, the usual ad for sunglasses is indeed "soft coffee." But right here Oakley he summons his inner sportsman with the greatest ease: “If I can survive Whistler, I can survive the Moon.” So – why do astronauts have gold visors?
The Golden Age: 24-Carat Premium Optics
The AxEMU visor is not just a fashion accessory, but a technological gem: the outer layer of 24-carat gold reflects infrared light and reliably blocks UV rays, while the inner layer optimizes visible light transmission and reduces blur. Although gold may seem like a nostalgic nod to the Apollo era, here it takes its physical properties to a whole new level (and leaves your neighbor across the ski slope with a jaw hanging open).
Fashion that survives micrometeorites
Axiom Space didn't follow the established path in assembling the clothing elite: Prada takes care of the materials, Nokia takes care of the communication, Oakley It's a good thing astronauts are professionals - just like top athletes leave scratches on the asphalt during World Cup races, Oakley's protective coating will withstand lunar dust and micrometeors.
Specifications at a glance
- Model: Oakley × Axiom Space AxEMU Visor System
- Technology: Next-Generation High-Definition Optics (HDO)
- Shape: Two-piece, foldable visor
- Outer layer: 24-carat gold reflection (IR reflection + UV protection)
- Inner layer: Adjustable visible light transmission, optimized for clear vision
- Protection: Antiscratch coating, resistance to lunar dust and micrometeors
- Mission: NASA Artemis III lunar exploration
- Start: mid 2027
- Availability: exclusively as part of the AxEMU package
Conclusion: why do astronauts have gold visors?
Oakley proves that sports fashion and space technology can go hand in hand – or, rather, with moon dust under your heels and gold glitter over your eyes. While we civilians wait for our “high-definition” pair, ask yourself: would you dare wear a gold visor every time you watch the sunrise from your balcony? Share your comments and experiences!
