What brand do you think of when you hear “space suit”? Most likely, it’s not Prada. Yet, in a groundbreaking collaboration, luxury brand Prada partnered with Axiom Space to design a new NASA space suit for the 2026 moon mission. This mission, Artemis III, marks the first American crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972. This mission will also transport the first woman and the first person of color to the moon.
Closer look at the suit. Photos: 1. PradaGroup.com 2. Uncrate.com 3. Space.com
First safety, then fashion
Axiom Space is an American private company that develops space infrastructure. The company aims to build the first commercial space station and provide spaceflight services.
The October 2024 Axiom Space news release mentions how the suit “will withstand extreme temperatures at the lunar south pole and endure the coldest temperatures in the permanently shadowed regions for at least two hours. Astronauts will be able to perform spacewalks for at least eight hours.”
The suits include improved flexibility, performance, and safety, with specialized tools for missions (NPR). These tools include 4G/LTE communications, a regenerable carbon dioxide system, robust cooling technology, advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to enhance vision, and more.
Michael Suffredini, chief executive of Axiom Space, pointed out, “While it doesn’t seem obvious what the technological reasons are for collaborating with a company like Prada, they’re more than just a fashion company. They actually do quite a bit of technologically advanced things.”
Axiom Space partnered with Prada for their innovative and in-depth knowledge of materials and production. In the 1990s, Prada founded the Luna Rossa yachting team to compete for the America’s Cup, highlighting their expertise with high-performance materials in challenging environments.
Patrizio Bertelli, Chairman of the Board at Prada, explains, “The suit, I think, is a perfect representation of something where you need a holistic approach. We have a lot of know how in how to package fabrics together to create better mobility.”
The suit is in the final development stage and will enter the critical design review phase in 2025.
Cover Photo: New York Post
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