Prada and Axiom Space Unveil New Astronaut Suit for Artemis III

The astronauts chosen for NASA’s Artemis III mission will soon head to the moon in style, thanks to a surprising partnership with Prada. The iconic fashion brand teamed up with Axiom Space to develop the new Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (L.C.V.G.) that astronauts will wear under their Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit during lunar missions.

On a Sunday morning, shortly before the announcement of the Artemis III crew, Prada hosted an event at its SoHo store in Manhattan. There, they showcased the L.C.V.G. designed for NASA astronauts. The event took place amidst Prada’s luxury leather goods and clothing, setting a unique stage for the debut of the space-ready bodysuit.

According to Jonathan Cirtain, Axiom Space’s chief executive, the new garment is notably “aesthetically pleasing,” bringing a new level of style to spacewear. This collaboration marks the second phase between Prada and Axiom Space, initiated in 2023, leading to the creation of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) alongside the L.C.V.G.

The L.C.V.G. is crafted from a proprietary blend of yarns, including titanium. Its design features stirrup pants and distinctive black tubes that contour around the shoulders, arms, waist, and thighs. These tubes form built-in tunnels for invisible tubes that carry water, cooling the astronauts’ bodies. The knit pattern resembles anatomical topography, adding both function and fashion.

This stylish unitard-like suit contrasts with previous L.C.V.G.s Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s chief marketing officer and head of sustainability, humorously compared the new design to a “superhero” uniform, akin to a Marvel costume department’s creation.

Axiom Space officials and Prada representatives celebrated the unveiling with refreshments, including champagne and green juice. The new L.C.V.G. stood proudly on stage alongside the AxEMU spacesuit, symbolizing the fashionable future of space exploration.