Prada, the renowned Italian fashion house, has embarked on a unique collaboration with NASA to design and produce spacesuits for the Artemis III mission, set to make history as the first lunar mission to include a female astronaut. Scheduled for 2025, the mission aims to mark a significant milestone in space exploration by returning humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.
The collaboration, facilitated by Axiom Space, the pioneer behind the world’s first commercial space station, will result in the creation of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit. Prada’s involvement is not limited to mere aesthetics; their engineers will be deeply engaged in the entire design process.
They will work closely with Axiom Space Systems to develop materials and design features that prioritize both the comfort and advanced capabilities of the astronauts, ensuring their protection against the harsh lunar environment and the rigors of space.
Image by Axiom Space.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Marketing Director, highlights the brand’s extensive experience in experimentation and design, emphasizing their commitment to applying this expertise to NASA’s lunar spacesuits. This venture represents a fusion of fashion and function, where high fashion meets cutting-edge technology to create suits that are not only stylish but also highly functional.
While specific details about the advanced technologies and design innovations remain undisclosed, Prada and Axiom Space assure that the Axiom Space spacesuits are an improved iteration of NASA’s existing Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuits. These new suits promise greater flexibility, enhanced protection against space’s harsh conditions, and advanced tools to aid astronauts in their lunar explorations.
Image by Axiom Space.
Image by Axiom Space.
Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space, emphasizes the importance of Prada’s technical expertise in crafting these spacesuits. He anticipates that Prada’s proficiency in raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and innovative design concepts will not only enhance the comfort of astronauts on the lunar surface but also address crucial human factors considerations that were previously absent from spacesuit design.