LOS ANGELES — A pair of pants have been fired up into space in a campaign to raise funds for research into women’s reproductive health and wellbeing.
While Elon Musk may have sent a Tesla up to space, this is the first-time briefs have ever been seen floating in the atmosphere.
Donated by Leolulu and commissioned by content sharing platform NSFW.app, the item will go under the hammer in an online charity auction next week.
Online content creators Leolulu have a history of high-profile cause related campaigning, previously featuring in Pornhub’s Dirtiest Porn Ever campaign, directed at cleaning up the world’s beaches.
Leo, who owns the lingerie, said: “Growing up I was shocked to discover how little research there was on women’s health and how recently what I consider to be the most basic improvements were made.
“I often wish for better solutions when it comes to a variety of challenges women face, including menstruation, contraception and giving birth.”
Her partner, Lulu, added: “This why we are raising money for the charity Wellbeing of Women, as its ground-breaking research has already saved and changed many lives for the better, and we want to show our support to a cause that’s close to our hearts”
The pioneering pants took two hours and 27 minutes to reach 107,089ft (32,641m) above the Earth, after being launched into the stratosphere's temperatures of minus -55C from Sheffield by space experts at Sent Into Space.
Having reached peak altitude, they then headed back towards Earth at a staggering 250 mph, with its parachute deploying at around 52,493 feet to slow the speed and enable a safe landing.
Sent Into Space Director Dr. Chris Rose said: “We’ve sent a lot of items into space from chicken nuggets to headphones, but this is the first time we’ve launched a pair of pants up there.
However, whilst it may seem crazy, the campaign is raising money for a great cause which will support women all over the world."
The auction, which takes place on Tuesday, September 7, on NFT marketplace Opensea.io will see the highest bidder receive an NFT clip of the pants in space, along with the physical framed item.
One hundred of the proceeds will go to charity, while other donations can be made on the Just Giving page.
NSFW.app is a content platform focused on the fantasy fanzine, adult and sex tech genres. The company recently stepped in to provide a safer alternative for adult content creators, sponsoring Pineapple Support, the adult industry’s leading mental health nonprofit. Pineapple Support helps to connect adult performers with mental health services, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling and emotional support.
“The support from NSFW.app sends a message that the mental health of content creators is being supported across the industry, especially during times of change like this, which can often exacerbate mental health symptoms,” says Leya Tanit, founder and CEO of Pineapple Support.
NSFW.app is a new decentralized content sharing application, "set to liberate the consumption of adult content," allowing creators to post free of charge and users to explore anonymously.
Leolulu are one of the top performing couples on Pornhub. She’s Leo, he’s Lulu and with more than 1.1M subscribers on Pornhub. The couple are now NSFW.app’s official partners. Born in France, they have been together for more than six years, describing themselves as “a young couple that loves to have sex... and to share it." They are famously known for keeping their faces anonymous, only revealing their bodies in their content.
Sent It To Space, with more than 500 launches under their belt, claims it is "the most experienced high altitude balloon operators in the world." Working with major brands including Sony, Samsung, Iceland, Ebay and Disney Pixar, they have sent everything from chicken nuggets to Barbie dolls up into the earth’s atmosphere.
