Final Frontier Design
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Ted Southern (President) Nik Moiseev (Lead Designer) |
| Services | space suit design, space suit gloves |
| Website | Final Frontier Design |
Final Frontier Design is an early-stage startup company that focuses on creating and testing spacesuits. Its offerings cater to the expanding demand for more affordable space access propelled by NewSpace launch providers like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and XCOR Aerospace. In 2011, FFD earned a Phase I SBIR award aimed at developing advanced pressure garment glove technology.
In July 2011, Final Frontier Design achieved third place in the 2011 NewSpace Business Plan Competition held in Silicon Valley, an event hosted by the Space Frontier Foundation.
By December 2014, FFD entered into a formal partnership with NASA through a Space Act Agreement, which enhanced its standing within the aerospace industry and broadened its market reach.
In January 2022, Paragon Space Development Corporation acquired the company, incorporating FFD into Paragon’s commercial spacesuit technology portfolio and bolstering its worldwide aerospace operations.
Company
Founded in 2010 by Ted Southern, an artist and former Eyebeam resident, alongside his partner Nikolay Moiseev, a mechanical engineer from Russia, Final Frontier Design aims to produce cost-effective yet high-performance spacesuits tailored for the emerging commercial spaceflight sector.
Intra-vehicular activity suit
Final Frontier is engineering an economical commercial Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA) spacesuit intended for emergency pressurization inside spacecraft cabins. This suit is offered at roughly one-fifth the price of NASA’s $250,000 IVA suits and weighs less than 15 pounds—about half the mass of NASA’s equivalent—potentially reducing fuel requirements on missions involving multiple crew members.
Currently advancing its third-generation spacesuit toward NASA flight certification, the design incorporates increased operating pressure capabilities, a carbon fiber waist ring, a retractable helmet system, and upgraded gloves featuring disconnect mechanisms.
In June 2012, Final Frontier initiated a Kickstarter campaign to finance prototype development, successfully raising over $27,000 from 386 contributors—exceeding its $20,000 target. These funds supported preparation of the third-generation suit for NASA certification anticipated in 2013, solidifying the company's position within the competitive space industry.