SpaceX teases its spacesuits

Via his Instagram account, Elon Musk shared the first photo of the SpaceX spacesuit. While the photo almost looks like a render, Musk stresses this is not a mockup but a fully functioning spacesuit that has passed double operating pressure testing.

This is the spacesuit that will be used by astronauts flying aboard the Dragon spacecraft. If things go as planned, Dragon could make its first manned flight in 2018. The flight suit is white and Musk explains they put a lot of effort in making it look good. Do keep in mind that this suit is not intended for heavy-duty work like spacewalks, they're only designed for the flight from Earth to space and back again.

Elon Musk promises more details will follow in a couple of days.

First picture of SpaceX spacesuit. More in days to follow. Worth noting that this actually works (not a mockup). Already tested to double vacuum pressure. Was incredibly hard to balance esthetics and function. Easy to do either separately.

Een bericht gedeeld door Elon Musk (@elonmusk) op 23 Aug 2017 om 12:59 PDT

For comparison, here's a look at the Boeing spacesuit that was revealed earlier this year. Boeing is in competition with SpaceX to get the US back into manned spaceflight. At the moment, NASA has to rely on Russia to get astronauts to the ISS. It's not clear which of the two companies is ahead in commercial crew program, the first manned flight of either companies isn't expected until mid-2018 at the earliest.