Astronaut Kate Rubins has recently debuted a colorful spacesuit. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Flight Engineer is aboard the International Space Station. The hand-painted spacesuit is called COURAGE. NASA revealed that it is to raise awareness about childhood cancer.
The COURAGE Spacesuit
According to Collectspace.com, the said spacesuit is created by the pediatric patients at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. It is produced by The Space Suit Art Project. NASA Johnson Space Center, MD Anderson and ILC Dover all collaborated to develop the spacesuit.
Rubins has painted the spacesuit with young cancer patients. Rubins, Nicole Stott and other NASA representatives mentored the children too. She reiterated that it really has inspired her. According to the Associated Press, she has a degree in cancer biology.
The said project was based on MD Anderson's Arts in Medicine Program. The program helps cancer patients to cope through art. As such, NASA was inspired to support the cause. Astronauts, scientists and engineers have expressed their support.
An Art Exhibit In Space
The COURAGE spacesuit was delivered to space on July. It was aboard SpaceX's ninth Dragon cargo spacecraft. Dragon had to supply the orbiting laboratory.
Rubins was excited to see it. She said that what it signifies is important. All the kids have made it into a beautiful art. She added that it was like a real art exhibit on the space station. NASA also wanted to show the benefits of pairing art with medicine.
It will be displayed at Space Center Houston in January 2017.
The Childhood Cancer Awareness
COURAGE's debut appearance coincides with the childhood cancer awareness month. Data shows that one in 285 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with cancer. This is before they turn 20 years old.
Stott admitted that the project has done a lot to inspire the children. MD Anderson discovered that creative therapy benefits the patients. It gives them a sense of control and purpose. Thus, their mental and behavioral health improve. It also develops camaraderie between the patients and their families.
