Here is the first spacesuit designed by Prada that will go to the Moon

PRada and Axiom Spacea leading company in the space sector, they unveiled the first spacesuit made together. Announced in autumn 2023, AxEMU, Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit it was shown for the first time at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, and is a special suit that will be used for NASA’s Artemis III mission. Special for its technical characteristics, which we will tell you about below, but also for having created one deep connection between one of the largest luxury brands and the world of aerospace engineering.

«Overcoming our limits is one of the values ​​that best reflects the spirit of Prada and the vision of my parents» declared Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility of the Prada Group «I am very proud of the result we show today, it is the first step of the collaboration with Axiom Space. We shared ours know-how on high-performance materials, new solutions and sewing techniqueslearning a lot from each other. I am sure that we will continue to explore new routes, broaden our horizons and reach new goals together.”

Design and research into materials are the result of joint work, of the union between two companies leader who have been able to combine creativity and engineering of the highest level to give life to one next generation space suit. No logos or stylistic excesses, but a touch of gray and an emblematic red stripe, symbol of the Italian brand and its sportier lines.

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Designed to ensure greater flexibility, efficiency and safety, and equipped with specialized instruments for the exploration of the lunar south pole, AxEMU it is a device that adapts to the different physiognomies of astronauts, be they men or women, and is able to withstand the extreme temperatures typical of lunar regions that remain in the shade for hours.

The AxEMU spacesuit made by Axiom Space and Prada.

Courtesy of Prada

Equipped with redundancy systems and an integrated diagnostic system to guarantee the safety of the astronaut, this special suit integrates life support systemspressurized clothing, avionics and other innovative features.

“Our specialized teams have redefined spacesuit development for the AxEMU project, exploring innovative solutions with a cutting-edge approach to design,” explained Axiom Space President Matt Ondler. «We broke the mold. The partnership between Axiom Space and Prada sets a precedent that will help us rethink collaborations between sectors, opening new avenues and opportunities for commercial space services.”

Having passed the pressurized simulation with the three partners of the Artemis III mission, NASA, SpaceX and Axiom, AxEMU is moving towards the final phases of development, which include crewed underwater tests and tests on board prototypes of the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle in view of the departure, scheduled for 2025.