Prada is set to make fashion and space history as early as 2026.
This Italian luxury fashion house, in partnership with Axiom Space, has unveiled the design for the next-generation spacesuit that will be worn by astronauts on NASA’s Artemis III mission. The mission, scheduled for launch no earlier than September 2026, will mark the first time humans return to the Moon since 1972.
In an exciting reveal at the Astronautical Congress in Milan, the new Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit was showcased. Designed for the harsh lunar environment, this suit is equipped with cutting-edge features like improved flexibility, specialized tools for lunar exploration, and the ability to withstand the extreme cold of the Moon’s South Pole for at least two hours. Not only will it allow astronauts to conduct spacewalks for up to eight hours, but advanced helmet coatings will ensure maximum visibility in the harsh glare of space.
This collaboration marks a groundbreaking moment in the merging of space technology and luxury design, with Axiom Space’s president, Matt Ondler, calling it a “new foundational model for cross-industry collaboration.” The AxEMU suit is nearing its final design stage and will undergo further testing before its final review next year.
Artemis III is not only a monumental leap in space exploration but also a mission of firsts. NASA plans to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon. With a crew of four, including astronauts selected by NASA and SpaceX, the mission is slated to last about 30 days.
