Florida Firm to Design Shoe in Space by 2026
In the latest step towards advancing the growth of the in-space economy, Syntilay, a Florida-based footwear company, plans to design a shoe in space, demonstrating innovative technology and potentially setting a precedent for subsequent ventures. “The objective of this project is to push the boundaries of possibility,” said Syntilay founder and CEO, Ben Weiss. The company aims to utilize an AI agent aboard a commercial mission led by OrbitsEdge and Copernic Space to create the shoe design.
“We frequently hear about new materials being developed in space, but most consumers have yet to experience tangible benefits from these advancements,” Weiss commented. “We aim to increase interest in this sector and make such innovations more accessible and practical for everyday users.”
Syntilay, whose name is derived from “scintillate,” currently employs artificial intelligence and 3D printing technologies in its terrestrial production processes. According to Weiss, transitioning the design process to low Earth orbit (LEO) represents a logical progression. As part of a broader commercial initiative, Syntilay will participate in a mission organized by OrbitsEdge and Copernic Space, which also features crypto mining and advanced AI computing capabilities. These operations will be conducted on a satellite scheduled for launch via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in early 2026.
Syntilay intends to leverage onboard AI agents to develop a footwear design in microgravity, a pioneering endeavor. This design will subsequently be transmitted to Earth for the production of a limited-edition 3D-printed shoe collection, with each pair tokenized and authenticated through the Copernic Space platform.
Commenting on the project’s potential, Weiss said, “We anticipate that the results will be extraordinary, challenging conventional limitations. We eagerly await the outcomes generated by this innovative process.” The company expects to commence sales of the space-designed footwear no later than September 2026.
Joe Foster, company advisor and co-founder of Reebok, suggested that the initiative could enable Syntilay to establish a distinct presence within a competitive market. “The challenge lies in identifying novel entry points, much like when we founded Reebok,” Foster said. “We referred to this as searching for ‘white space’, or areas where we could make a substantive impact rather than simply competing against established industry leaders. In this case, the ‘white space’ is quite literally in outer space, representing a unique opportunity for differentiation.”