Lockheed Martin Unveils 'Vector' Fragrance for that Space-y Smell

By Tariq Malik
published

In space, no one can hear you smell.

The folks at aerospace giant Lockheed Martin do a lot of things in space. They launch rockets. They build Mars landers. And now, they're bottling the smell of space. 

Today (April 1), Lockheed Martin is launching "Vector," its first space fragrance that promises to bringing the aroma of the cosmos down to Earth just for you, and just in time for April Fools' Day. The company worked with retired astronaut Tony Antonelli to cook up the space scent and unveiled a new website with the Vector's origin story (and how to request a sample). 

"The first time I opened the hatch to help spacewalkers back inside, I was blown away by the strong and unique odor they brought back," said Antonelli, who leads Lockheed Martin's Orion spacecraft mission planning, in a statement. "I had smelled nothing like it before and nothing like it since. Until now." 

Apparently, Lockheed's "Vector" has the right (olfactory) stuff. 

"Lockheed Martin has a history of achieving the impossible, but this is the dawn of a new scent and its most intoxicating achievement yet," Antonelli said. "The fragrance is truly out of this world." 

But what's it smell like?

"Featuring a deep metallic base, Vector's clean, sterile feel is balanced by a subtle yet seductive fiery undertone that burns off like vapor in the atmosphere, helping men, women and children everywhere smell like they're floating through the cosmos."

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Lockheed Martin isn't the only space company doing weird things this April Fools' Day. 

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk renamed himself Jung Musk on Twitter and has apparently dropped his rap single "RIP, Harambe" on his fictional recording label Emo G Records to honor the late gorilla.  

And finally: If you're wondering what space REALLY smells like. We've got you covered here. 

Steel your nostrils, though. Lockheed is advertising the scent like this:  

"Deep space is not for the faint of heart, and neither is this bold, new fragrance for the people of Earth. Humans have always dreamt of exploring our universe and today we make part of that dream a reality. Created by the engineers at Lockheed Martin, this out-of-this-world scent blends metallic notes to create a clean scent with a sterile feel, balanced by subtle, fiery undertones that burn off like vapor in the atmosphere.

Lockheed Martin unveiled its first space fragrance "Vector" for April Fools Day 2019. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin)

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Tariq Malik
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief

Tariq is the Editor-in-Chief of Space.com and joined the team in 2001, first as an intern and staff writer, and later as an editor. He covers human spaceflight, exploration and space science, as well as skywatching and entertainment. He became Space.com's Managing Editor in 2009 and Editor-in-Chief in 2019. Before joining Space.com, Tariq was a staff reporter for The Los Angeles Times covering education and city beats in La Habra, Fullerton and Huntington Beach. In October 2022, Tariq received the Harry Kolcum Award for excellence in space reporting from the National Space Club Florida Committee. He is also an Eagle Scout (yes, he has the Space Exploration merit badge) and went to Space Camp four times as a kid and a fifth time as an adult. He has journalism degrees from the University of Southern California and New York University. You can find Tariq at Space.com and as the co-host to the This Week In Space podcast with space historian Rod Pyle on the TWiT network. To see his latest project, you can follow Tariq on Twitter @tariqjmalik.