NASA's Artemis II astronauts will wear International Orange flight suits on their historic moon mission, marking the first crewed lunar journey since 1972. The four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—will don the bright orange suits both before launch at Kennedy Space Center and after their 10-day mission.

These suits, officially known as AMS Standard 595 color #FS 12197, serve as mini life-support systems capable of sustaining astronauts for up to 144 hours. The custom-made suits feature reflective sky-blue accent stripes forming a heroic V at the torso, with functional elements like rescue straps and backup oxygen pouches. The color choice isn't merely aesthetic—it's specifically designed to stand out against ocean and sky blues for search and rescue operations.

The orange color has deep historical roots, dating back to the 1930s when architect Irving Morrow selected it for the Golden Gate Bridge. NASA adopted it after the 1986 Challenger disaster when the effectiveness of orange in search and rescue became undeniable. Unlike the white EVA suits worn for spacewalks, these orange suits prioritize visibility over heat reflection. The suits represent a significant evolution from the shapeless "pumpkin suits" of the past, now featuring a sleek, custom-made design that emphasizes both function and form.