MILAN, Italy — The astronauts who go to the moon on the Artemis III mission will be decked out in designer duds. Axiom and Prada unveiled the new spacesuits on Wednesday. The luxury fashion house and Axiom spacesuit development teams blended creativity with engineering as they designed the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuits.
“Our elite teams have redefined spacesuit development, establishing new pathways to innovative solutions and applying a state-of-the-art design approach for the AxEMU,” Axiom Space President Matt Ondler said. “We have broken the mold." The next-generation spacesuits feature several innovative designs.
They'll be made from a white material that reflects heat and protects astronauts from extreme high temperatures and lunar dust. The specially engineered boots will allow astronauts to spacewalk for at least eight hours. Advanced coatings on the helmet and visor will enhance the astronauts’ view of their surroundings The spacesuit includes life support systems, pressure garments, avionics and other innovative systems to meet exploration needs and expand scientific opportunities.
The spacesuits are also more comfortable and easier to move around in without sacrificing performance or safety, according to Axiom. They credit Prada's "in-depth knowledge of textile production and sewing techniques" with bridging the gap between functionality and style. 'A huge feat' Nearly a dozen Prada employees commuted between their home base in Mila.