Prada design for NASA’s Next-Gen Lunar Spacesuits Artemis III moon mission. Story by RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Prada / NASA / AFP / Getty Images.
In a historic and groundbreaking partnership, Italian luxury fashion house Prada and Axiom Space, a leading commercial space company, have joined forces to design the next-generation lunar spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2025. This mission holds immense significance as it will mark the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972 and will include the historic moment of placing a woman on the Moon.
A Pioneering Collaboration
Axiom Space, an industry leader known for designing the world’s first commercial space station, is spearheading this remarkable collaboration. Prada, with its renowned technical expertise in raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and innovative design concepts, will bring a touch of luxury and sophistication to the demanding world of space exploration.
Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are honored to be a part of this historic mission with Axiom Space. Our decades of experimentation, cutting-edge technology and design know-how – which started back in the ‘90s with Luna Rossa challenging for the America’s cup – will now be applied to the design of a spacesuit for the Artemis era. It is a true celebration of the power of human creativity and innovation to advance civilization... Prada’s technical expertise with raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and innovative design concepts will bring advanced technologies instrumental in ensuring not only the comfort of astronauts on the lunar surface, but also the much-needed human factors considerations absent from legacy spacesuits.”
Designing for the Lunar Environment
Prada’s engineers will work closely with Axiom Space’s systems team throughout the design process, focusing on developing solutions for materials and design features that can withstand the unique challenges posed by space and the lunar environment. This collaboration signifies a significant shift in the way spacesuits are designed, blending fashion-forward thinking with cutting-edge technology.
“The constantly forward-thinking ethos of Prada for humanity has broadened to his desire of adventure and to brave new horizons: space,” said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Marketing Director. “We are honored to be a part of this historic mission with Axiom Space. Our decades of experimentation, cutting-edge technology and design know-how – which started back in the ‘90s with Luna Rossa challenging for the America’s cup – will now be applied to the design of a spacesuit for the Artemis era. It is a true celebration of the power of human creativity and innovation to advance civilization.”
AxEMU Spacesuit: A Leap Forward in Space Exploration
The AxEMU spacesuit represents a significant advancement in spacesuit technology. It builds upon NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) design, offering astronauts increased flexibility, enhanced protection against the harsh space environment, and specialized tools for scientific exploration. These suits will also provide NASA with commercially developed human systems necessary for missions on and around the Moon.
This collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space signifies a milestone in the history of space exploration. It enables greater exploration of the lunar surface, contributing to our understanding of the Moon, the solar system, and beyond.
The collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space to design lunar spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis III mission represents a significant achievement in human creativity and innovation. It reflects the merging of fashion, technology, and space exploration with the goal of advancing civilization in the Artemis era. This partnership is focused on ensuring the safety of astronauts in the harsh environment of space and on the lunar surface, rather than merely creating a visual spectacle. It stands as a notable step in Prada and Axiom Space’s collective endeavor to contribute to space exploration.
About Axiom Space
Axiom Space is a pioneering company with a vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. As the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space currently operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station and is developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.
About Prada
Since 1913, Prada has been synonymous with cutting-edge style. Its intellectual universe combines concept, structure, and image through codes that go beyond trends. Its fashion transcends products, translating conceptuality into a universe that has become a benchmark for those who dare to challenge conventions, focusing on experimentation. The Prada brand is part of Prada Group, a global leader in the luxury goods industry, which owns some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, including Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, the historic Pasticceria Marchesi, and Luna Rossa.
