Prada and Axiom Space have joined forces to design the spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission, set to be worn by the first woman and the first person of color on the moon in 2026. The Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), revealed at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, blends Prada’s expertise in high-performance materials with Axiom’s engineering innovations.
Axiom developed the suit’s technical features, while Prada focused on the outer layer, applying advanced fabric and sewing techniques. The suit, designed to fit 99% of astronauts, addresses past issues with limited sizing. Prada’s signature red stripe adds a stylish touch, reminiscent of their Linea Rossa range.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s Chief Marketing Officer, expressed pride in the collaboration, calling it a reflection of the brand’s boundary-pushing spirit. Axiom Space president Matt Ondler praised the partnership for setting a new standard in cross-industry innovation. The suit’s white outer layer shields astronauts from extreme lunar conditions and features onboard diagnostics, 4G/LTE communication, and regenerative CO2 scrubbing for extended spacewalks.
This groundbreaking partnership between fashion and aerospace highlights how expertise from different industries can drive innovation. Axiom’s Russell Ralston emphasized that such collaborations enable cutting-edge solutions for space exploration. Further testing will ensure the suit is ready for 2026, including trials in vacuum chambers and integration with SpaceX’s Starship, NASA’s lunar landing system. This suit, poised to make history, marks a new chapter in space exploration and cross-industry collaboration.
