Prada Collaborates in Designing a Spacesuit

Space travel is often perceived as lacking in glamour, with astronauts enduring conditions such as wearing damp undergarments and dining on reconstituted meals like roast beef. However, upcoming lunar missions might see an upgrade in style as future moon-bound astronauts are set to don the newly designed Axiom Space spacesuit, developed in collaboration with Prada. Known as the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), this spacesuit is crafted to withstand the harsh environment of the lunar South Pole while incorporating elements of sophistication that have been previously absent in space attire.

Prada collaborated with Axiom on the suit’s exterior, utilizing the fashion house’s expertise in high-performance materials, innovative features, and advanced sewing techniques. In addition to providing protection from the extreme cold vacuum of space, the suit is designed with an aesthetic intention to inspire future space exploration endeavors.

The suit is equipped with a helmet and visor featuring lights, an HD camera, and 4G/LTE communication capabilities. True to haute couture standards, it includes custom-made gloves, boots specifically designed for lunar terrain, and accommodates a wide range of crew members through “anthropomorphic sizing.” A press release humorously suggests that even a cat could wear it, highlighting its inclusivity in sizing.

The Axiom spacesuit is slated to be utilized by NASA astronauts during the Artemis III mission to the moon, which is not scheduled to occur earlier than September 2026. Thus, it will be some time before this sophisticated suit makes its mark on lunar expeditions.

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