Gold-coated astronaut visors act like specialized sunglasses: they reduce harsh sunlight and glare and help protect an astronaut’s eyes from ultraviolet and infrared exposure. The gold coating is on a movable outer sun visor—not the clear, pressure-containing helmet bubble—and it can be raised or lowered as lighting changes.
What the gold visor does
Outside a spacecraft, an astronaut can face intense sunlight without the filtering effect of Earth’s atmosphere. The sun visor reduces visible light and glare while preserving a usable view. NASA hardware manager Les Padilla summed up its purpose as “very fancy sunglasses” in a NASA podcast interview.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The visor assembly also helps protect against ultraviolet and infrared components of sunlight. That does not mean the gold coating blocks every kind of radiation in space: its established role is sun and light protection, not comprehensive radiation shielding.
Where it sits in the helmet
The gold coating belongs to the outer sun visor, one part of a layered helmet assembly. NASA describes the helmet as including a clear pressure bubble, a protective visor over it, and outer sun-visor and eyeshade components. The pressure bubble holds the suit’s pressurized environment; the outer sun visor is a movable light filter. These parts have different jobs, so pressure, impact, or all thermal protection should not be attributed to the gold film alone. NASA’s spacewalk spacesuit overview describes the components and their functions.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The outer visor is not necessarily permanently in front of the astronaut’s face. It can be lowered, raised, or positioned to cover the face partially, and opaque side shades help block sunlight arriving from different directions. Astronauts can adjust it to suit changing light conditions.
What the coating filters—and what the numbers mean
NASA’s 2025 technical brief for the current Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) gives the external sun visor’s visible-light transmission as 16% +/- 4% at 555 nm. This is a specification for that EMU visor at a particular wavelength—not a universal figure for every astronaut helmet, nor a statement that every gold visor blocks a fixed percentage of all sunlight. The brief also notes that visor attenuation can affect EVA visual tasks and that task timing may need adjustment when solar lighting is adverse. NASA OCHMO Technical Brief OCHMO-TB-050
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Historical Apollo lunar equipment used a different, more specifically documented arrangement. NASA’s technical report describes an adjustable outer sun visor made of high-temperature polysulfone, with a thin vacuum-deposited gold film on its inner surface. Beneath it was a separate, fixed-down ultraviolet-stabilized polycarbonate protective visor. NASA says the sun visor filtered visible light and rejected a significant amount of UV and infrared; the protective visor also rejected UV, and the visor layers worked with the pressure helmet as a thermal barrier. The report does not give a percentage for the UV or infrared rejected. NASA’s lunar LEVA technical report
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Why only some helmets have them
Helmet and visor arrangements vary by suit and mission. NASA’s descriptions cover both Apollo lunar equipment and the current EMU, but do not provide a complete inventory of every astronaut helmet model or establish that all programs use a gold-coated visor. The gold appearance is a useful clue that a sun-filtering layer is present; it is not a feature to assume on every helmet.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
NASA also describes a quick-swap protective visor for Artemis suit helmets, intended to guard against abrasive planetary dirt. That protective component has a different purpose from the sun visor. NASA’s spacesuit overview
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Gold color is not gold armor
“Gold-coated” refers to an optical coating on a visor, not a solid-gold shield or a gold-colored pressure bubble. NASA’s general explanation of spacesuits places the visor’s sunlight protection within the broader protective functions of a suit; it does not make the visor a shield against all space hazards. NASA: What Is a Spacesuit?
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
