In a groundbreaking collaboration that fuses high fashion with cutting-edge aerospace engineering, Axiom Space and Prada have finally unveiled the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, destined for NASA’s Artemis III mission.
Almost exactly a year ago, we first wrote about this high-fashion and high-space partnership as it made ripples in the fashion hemisphere. Now, the innovative design has just been revealed at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, showcasing a fusion of creativity and engineering that promises to redefine spacesuit functionality and aesthetics.
As the first major project between a luxury designer house and a space exploration company, the AxEMU spacesuit represents a new frontier not only in the materials used, but also in the very concept of what a spacesuit can be. “Our elite teams have redefined spacesuit development, establishing new pathways to innovative solutions,” remarked Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space. This partnership signals a shift in the commercial space industry, where cross-industry collaboration is becoming imperative for future exploration.
The AxEMU is crafted from a unique white material designed to reflect heat and withstand the harsh lunar environment. One suit features a mostly off-white exterior, and another mostly black, but this choice of colour is not purely for aesthetic purposes—it serves a critical function, protecting astronauts from extreme temperatures and abrasive lunar dust. Prada, renowned for its expertise in high-performance materials, has played a pivotal role in both the design and production processes of the AxEMU, integrating advanced technologies and innovative sewing techniques to enhance comfort and performance.
Lorenzo Bertelli, chief marketing officer of Prada, expressed tremendous pride in the collaboration: “Going beyond our limits is one of the company’s values.” This ethos is echoed in the AxEMU spacesuit’s advanced engineering, which accommodates a wide range of body types—from the first to the 99th percentile—ensuring that every astronaut, regardless of size, can perform optimally during their missions.
The AxEMU features multiple redundant systems, an onboard diagnostic system, and a regenerable carbon-dioxide scrubbing technology, ensuring safety and comfort during long missions. The suit also boasts advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to enhance visibility, alongside custom gloves designed for dexterity and precision.
As Axiom Space continues to refine this next-generation spacesuit, the AxEMU has undergone extensive testing, including underwater simulations that mimic lunar conditions. These rigorous trials are essential as the space agency gears up for a return to the Moon, with the Artemis III mission poised to set the stage for future lunar exploration.
At the last Prada Milan runway show held in September, there was a preponderance of rich black, deep greys, and lunar whites—perhaps a hint of what’s to come in space-age travel. Who knows? As we stand on the brink of a new era in space, it is clear, however, that the cosmos may soon be as fashionable as it is formidable.
All images courtesy of Prada and Axiom Space.
