PORTLAND, Ore.— February 19, 2025 — Columbia Sportswear is pushing the boundaries of its cutting-edge technologies by deepening its collaboration with space exploration company Intuitive Machines in preparation for its historic second lunar mission, set to launch later this month. Columbia’s signature Omni-Heat™ Infinity and Omni-Shade™ Sun Deflector technologies will play a key role in protecting the IM-2 lunar lander, Athena, from the harsh extremes of heat and cold encountered in space and on the Moon. The mission’s goal is to drill into the Moon’s south pole in search of lunar ice, a groundbreaking effort in one of the Moon’s most inhospitable environments.
Building on the success of last year’s IM-1 mission—which demonstrated the effectiveness of Columbia’s Omni-Heat Infinity insulation technology—Columbia and Intuitive Machines have collaborated to further develop thermal management materials for the IM-2 lander. Alongside Omni-Heat Infinity, the partnership has integrated Omni-Shade Sun Deflector technology into Athena. These advanced materials will ensure the lander can endure the severe cold and intense heat of space. Omni-Heat Infinity will protect critical parts of the lander from freezing temperatures, while Omni-Shade Sun Deflector technology will shield Athena from the sun’s extreme heat during its lunar operations.
“During the IM-1 mission, we demonstrated the insulative power and durability of our Omni-Heat Infinity technology to help protect the lander – the same insulation used in our winter jackets and gear. While we celebrated this historic moment, we knew it was just the first step in unlocking the true potential of Columbia’s patented innovations,” said Dr. Haskell Beckham, Vice President of Innovation at Columbia Sportswear. “Through this scientific partnership, we have been able to stretch the boundaries of material and product testing to the furthest frontiers, reinforcing our commitment to delivering some of the most innovative outdoor solutions in the world.”
Athena is designed to face the intense heat of the sun as it conducts experiments on the Moon’s surface. Columbia’s Omni-Shade Sun Deflector technology, originally developed to protect individuals from solar heat on Earth, will be integrated into a multilayer insulation (MLI) blanket that covers the lander’s top deck. This technology reflects solar radiation, helping to prevent the overheating of Athena’s critical components, such as batteries and avionics. On Earth, the Omni-Shade Sun Deflector material is utilized in Columbia’s warm-weather products and features reflective titanium dioxide dots that deflect hot sun rays, keeping wearers cooler outdoors.
Columbia’s award-winning Omni-Heat Infinity technology will once again prove its versatility by insulating Athena’s helium tank, shielding it from extreme temperatures ranging from +250° to -250° Fahrenheit during the lander’s journey through space and its operations on the Moon’s surface.
“We proudly join Intuitive Machines on this second historic lunar mission, furthering their goal to return humans to the Moon, and lending our engineered materials to the cause,” said Joe Boyle, Brand President at Columbia Sportswear. “From our headquarters in Portland, Oregon all the way to the surface of the Moon, we can confidently say our products undergo the most rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance. This partnership has allowed us to fearlessly experiment and employ our technologies in the most extreme environments, advancing our shared commitment to human exploration on Earth and beyond.”
As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission will demonstrate lunar mobility, resource prospecting, and the analysis of volatile substances from subsurface materials. This mission is a vital step in discovering water resources beyond Earth, which will be key to establishing sustainable infrastructure on the Moon and in space.
The IM-2 lunar mission is scheduled for a multi-day launch window starting no earlier than February 26 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
“Space and Earth are part of an innovation ecosystem where progress in one fuels advancement in the other,” said Steve Altemus, President and CEO of Intuitive Machines. “By continuing our partnership with Columbia Sportswear, we’re proving that commercial innovation can break engineering barriers, supporting new industries on the Moon while driving technological advancements that reshape markets on Earth.”
