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Axiom Space and Prada have revealed the design for the next-generation spacesuit that will be worn by astronauts during NASA’s Artemis III mission to the Moon.
The unveiling took place at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy, and was described by the space company as marking a significant milestone in the future of space exploration.
The Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) represents a leap forward in spacesuit technology, blending cutting-edge engineering with Prada’s expertise in materials and design, according to Axiom.
Matt Ondler, President of Axiom Space, emphasised the innovative approach, and said: “We have broken the mold. The Axiom Space-Prada partnership has set a new foundational model for cross-industry collaboration.”
While the prototype displayed at the event features a dark cover layer to protect proprietary technology, the actual suits used on the lunar surface will be white to reflect heat and guard against the extreme temperatures and lunar dust.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, expressed pride in the collaboration and said: “Going beyond our limits is one of the company’s values that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Prada brand. We’ve shared our expertise on high-performance materials, features, and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot.”
Axiom claim the AxEMU suit boasts several advancements over previous designs. It offers greater flexibility and safety features, accommodating a wider range of body types, and can withstand the harsh conditions of the lunar south pole for extended periods. The suit includes multiple redundant systems, an onboard diagnostic system, and a regenerable carbon dioxide scrubber.
Axiom Space said it has been improving the suit design over the past two years, conducting extensive testing in various simulated environments. The development process has included underwater tests at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and reduced gravity simulations at Johnson Space Centre.
As the AxEMU nears its final development stage, it will undergo further testing, including crewed underwater trials and integration tests with lunar vehicle prototypes.
The suit is scheduled to enter its critical design review phase in 2025.
The partnership between Axiom Space and Prada began after Axiom Space was awarded a $228 million contract by NASA in 2022 to develop spacesuits for the Artemis missions. The collaboration aims to drive innovation and push the boundaries of commercial space exploration.
As NASA prepares for a return to the Moon with the Artemis III mission in 2026, the unveiling of the AxEMU spacesuit symbolises not only technical progress, but, according to Axiom Space, a step toward making space exploration more accessible and exciting to a broader audience.