Now THAT is what you call high fashion! Prada helps design a futuristic space suit that NASA astronauts could wear to the moon during the 2026 Artemis III mission
It’s the collaboration the fashion world never saw coming.
Prada – known for its luxury handbags, accessories and shoes – has focused on designing a space suit that can be worn on the next mission to the moon.
The renowned fashion company, founded in Milan in 1913, worked with Axiom Space to advise on the suit’s design and materials.
Its creation, called the spacesuit Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), is described as “evolvable, scalable and adaptable” for missions on the lunar surface and in low Earth orbit.
Prada said the design team could help recommend custom materials and features for the spacesuit, as well as sewing methods that could improve the suit’s performance.
Prada – known for its luxury handbags, accessories and shoes – has started designing a space suit that could be worn on the next mission to the moon
Prada said the design team could help recommend custom materials and features for the spacesuit, as well as sewing methods that could improve the suit’s performance.
The suit, which will be worn by the next humans to walk on the moon’s surface, will withstand extreme temperatures at the moon’s south pole and the coldest temperatures in permanently shaded areas.
It is designed to accommodate both male and female astronauts with improved flexibility and mobility, allowing them to move around for at least eight hours.
Features also include variable pack pressure, a carbon dioxide scrub system, a portable backpack with life support system and a bright white outer layer to reflect heat.
The full design also includes advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to improve the astronauts’ view of their surroundings, as well as custom-made gloves.
The suit, which will be worn by the next humans to walk on the moon’s surface, will withstand extreme temperatures at the moon’s south pole and the coldest temperatures in permanently shaded areas.
It is designed to accommodate both male and female astronauts with improved flexibility and mobility, allowing them to move around for at least eight hours
Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility of the Prada Group said: “Transcending our boundaries is one of the company’s values that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Prada brand and the vision of my parents.
“I am very proud of the result we are showing today, which is just the first step in a long-term partnership with Axiom Space.
‘We shared our expertise in high-quality materials, properties and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot.
“I am sure we will continue to explore new challenges, broaden our horizons and build new scenarios together.”
The entire design also includes advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to improve the astronauts’ view of their surroundings, as well as custom gloves
The suit will be used for NASA’s Artemis III mission, a crewed moon landing that won’t take place until September 2026 at the earliest.
It will be the first time humans have returned to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, and will involve a week-long exploration of the lunar surface while we conduct scientific studies.
“Our elite teams have redefined spacesuit development, created new avenues for innovative solutions, and applied a state-of-the-art design approach to the AxEMU,” said Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space.
“We broke the mold. The Axiom Space-Prada partnership has established a new fundamental model for cross-industry collaboration, further expanding opportunities in commercial space.”
Axiom Space said this is the first time it has “leveraged expertise in other industries” to improve the design of its spacesuits.
The suit has already undergone extensive testing and simulations with a wide range of astronauts – including underwater to simulate the lunar environment and in reduced gravity.