Prada and Axiom Space aim for the moon with new astronaut suit
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Italian luxury group Prada and Houston-based startup Axiom Space unveiled the design of a new spacesuit intended for NASA’s Artemis 3 mission to the moon, scheduled for 2026. The announcement was made at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan on Wednesday.
The new suit, named the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), maintains a familiar aesthetic reminiscent of past astronaut attire. It features a bulky white design complemented by striking red trim and grey patches on the knees and elbows. The AxEMU is engineered to meet the challenges of lunar exploration, marrying advanced functionality with an elegant design.
Artemis 3 marks the first astronaut moon landing since Apollo 17 in 1972, and the AxEMU is specifically built to endure the extreme temperatures at the lunar south pole, including the cold of permanently shadowed regions, for up to two hours. Astronauts will be able to conduct spacewalks for at least eight hours while wearing the suit.
The AxEMU has undergone rigorous testing, including simulations in underwater environments to mimic lunar conditions, and is approaching the final stages of development.
“I’m very proud of the result we’re showing today, which is just the first step in a long-term collaboration with Axiom Space,” said Prada’s Chief Marketing Officer Lorenzo Bertelli.
Axiom Space President Matt Ondler emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “Innovation really comes when we put diverse teams together, diverse backgrounds, different educations, different skills.”
As the fields of space exploration and tourism evolve, luxury brands are increasingly seeking partnerships within this burgeoning industry. Last month, French fashion house Pierre Cardin revealed an astronaut training suit for use at the European Space Agency’s center in Cologne. Additionally, hotel group Hilton is collaborating with Voyager Space to design crew suites for the upcoming commercial space station, Starlab.
The AxEMU represents not only a leap in astronaut apparel but also a convergence of luxury and innovation in the quest for lunar exploration.
