Astronauts might be wearing some out-of-this-world fashion in upcoming missions to the moon.
NASA's Artemis III mission, which is set to land humans on the moon for the first time since 1972, will also see astronauts sporting spacesuits designed in a collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space.
These brand-new spacesuit designs, named the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), were announced this week at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan.
"Our elite teams have redefined spacesuit development, establishing new pathways to innovative solutions and applying a state-of-the-art design approach for the AxEMU," Matt Ondler, Axiom Space's president, said in a statement.
"We have broken the mold. The Axiom Space-Prada partnership has set a new foundational model for cross-industry collaboration, further expanding what's possible in commercial space," Ondler added.
Spacesuits, also known as extravehicular activity suits, are complex systems designed to protect astronauts from the harsh environment of space, while still allowing mobility and functionality.
In space and on the moon, there is no atmospheric pressure, so a spacesuit must provide the necessary pressure to simulate Earth-like atmospheric conditions and keep bodily fluids from boiling. Additionally, astronauts need a constant supply of oxygen and a system to remove carbon dioxide. While in this pressurized and protective environment, astronauts also need to move easily.
Spacesuits need thermal insulation made from heat-resistant materials. They also need cooling garments with water circulation systems to regulate body temperature and protective materials to minimize radiation exposure.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group's chief marketing officer and head of corporate social responsibility, said in a statement that the collaboration with Axiom Space allowed Prada to implement its expertise on materials and sewing techniques in the design of the AxEMU.
The design is meant to increase flexibility, performance, and safety, while accommodating male and female physiques—both on the moon's surface and on spacewalks in orbit.
"Going beyond our limits is one of the company's values that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Prada brand and my parents' vision. 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," Bertelli said.
He added: "We've shared our expertise on high-performance materials, features, and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot. I'm sure we'll continue to explore new challenges, broaden our horizons, and build new scenarios together."
Axiom Space said the AxEMU would have specialized tools to help astronauts deal with life on the lunar south pole, allowing them to spend up to eight hours out on the moon's surface while withstanding extremely cold temperatures.
The suit is also set to include improved carbon dioxide scrubbing systems and cooling technologies, specialized visor coatings to improve visibility, and custom gloves.
The suits are approaching their final stage of development and are undergoing vigorous testing before they are launched into space with astronauts inside.
"We are pioneering a new era in space exploration where partnerships are imperative to the commercialization of space," Russell Ralston, the executive vice president of extravehicular activity at Axiom Space, said in a statement.
"Partnerships build a strong, cohesive team, enabling industry experts to provide cutting-edge technology, specialized products and services to drive innovation," he continued. "For the first time, we are leveraging expertise in other industries to craft a better solution for space."
According to NASA, Artemis III will launch "no earlier than September 2026."
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