The history of space exploration is about to write a new, exciting chapter, and this time with a touch of all-Italian style. Prada, the renowned Milanese fashion brand, is teaming up with Axiom Space to create the space suit that will accompany the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface.
This extraordinary project, part of NASA’s Artemis III mission, not only marks a return of mankind to the moon after more than half a century, but also represents a triumph of made-in-Italy engineering and design.
The collaboration between fashion and aerospace technology.
The partnership between Prada and Axiom Space, announced in October 2024, resulted in the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit. Unveiled at the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan, this suit represents the culmination of years of research and innovation in high-performance materials and functional design.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group’s Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, stressed the importance of this project, “Exceeding our limits is one of the values that best reflect Prada’s spirit. We shared our know-how on high-performance materials, new solutions and sewing techniques, learning a lot from each other.”
Prada’s innovative aerospace suit features
The AxEMU suit is designed to meet the unique challenges of the lunar environment, particularly the extreme conditions of the lunar south pole, the target of the Artemis III mission.
Here are some of its key features:
- Adaptability: the suit fits different physiognomies, ensuring comfort for both male and female astronauts.
- Thermal resistance: it can tolerate extreme temperatures, down to -250 degrees Celsius in permanently shaded regions.
- Durability: according to tests, the suit by Prada supports up to eight hours of extravehicular activities.
- Flexibility: the prototype offers greater mobility than previous models, facilitating exploration and sample collection.
- Advanced safety: the suit integrates specialized instruments for lunar south pole exploration.
Lunar suit design: a balance between functionality and aesthetics
While the unveiled prototype showed a dark coating to protect technological secrets, the final version of the suit will be white. This color is not only an homage to the iconic Apollo mission suits, but also serves to reflect heat and protect astronauts from the highly abrasive lunar dust.
The suit features red details, a nod to Prada’s DNA and its experience in nautical competition with Luna Rossa. These elements not only add a touch of style, but also serve as visual landmarks for the astronauts during their activities on the lunar surface.
Impact on future space exploration: Prada leads the way
The collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space goes beyond simply creating a space suit. As Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, said, “This is a historic moment. We have broken the mold. The partnership between Axiom Space and Prada sets a precedent that will help us rethink cross-industry collaborations, opening up new avenues and opportunities for commercial space services.”
This suit will not only be used for the Artemis III mission, scheduled for late 2026. Its modular and adaptable design makes it suitable for future missions to the lunar surface and even low Earth orbit. It will also be used on Axiom Space’s future commercial space station, opening up new possibilities for space exploration and research.
Prada will preside over a more inclusive future in space missions
With the Artemis III mission, NASA will not only return humanity to the Moon, but will do so in a way that reflects the technological and social advances of the past 50 years. The presence of the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface represents a significant step toward greater diversity and inclusion in space exploration.
The Prada x Axiom Space suit is much more than a piece of technical clothing. It is a symbol of how innovation, design and technology can come together to overcome the most daunting challenges. As we approach the mission date, excitement is growing not only in the scientific community, but around the world.
The Moon, once a distant dream, is about to become a tangible reality again, this time with a touch of Italian style.