Spinoff story

Ribbed Swimsuit

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

Langley Research Center's turbulent-drag reduction technology, as applied to airplanes and the winning yacht in America's Cup, finds another application: swimwear. The Strush SR swimsuit features silicon ribbing or riblets" at the chest and buttocks reducing friction in the water. Combined with innovations by its manufacturer Arena North America the company says the technology makes the suit 10 to 15 percent faster than any other world class swimsuit. The publicity for the Strush SR is handled by Suter Communications Inc. *Company no longer exists (12/5/96)."