Back to the catalog
Spinoff story
Space Age Swimsuit Reduces Drag, Breaks Records
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Because of Langley Research Center's experience in studying the forces of friction and drag, Los Angeles-based SpeedoUSA asked the Agency to help design a swimsuit shortly after the 2004 Olympics. The LZR Racer reduces skin friction drag 24 percent more than the previous Speedo racing suit. The research seems to have paid off; in March 2008, athletes wearing the LZR Racer broke 13 world records.