KSC-2009-6458

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Independent inventor Ted Southern of Brooklyn, N.Y., submits a glove which he designed to a burst test as representatives of ILC Dover monitor how much internal pressure the glove can withstand. Southern is a participant in the 2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge, part of NASA’s Centennial Challenges Program, being held at the Astronaut Hall of Fame near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The nationwide competition focused on developing improved pressure suit gloves for astronauts to use while working in space. During the challenge, inventors tested the gloves to measure dexterity and strength during operation in a glove box which simulates the vacuum of space. Centennial Challenges is NASA’s program of technology prizes for the citizen-inventor. The winning prize for the Glove Challenge is $250,000 provided by the Centennial Challenges Program. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett