Lunar Fashion Revolution: Axiom Unveils Initial Moon Spacesuits Since the Apollo Era
Astronauts are set to make a stylish return to the Moon in less than five years. Axiom Space, a commercial partner of NASA, revealed the final design of their spacesuits for exploring the lunar terrain, crafted in collaboration with luxury brand Prada.
At the International Astronautical Congress, Axiom unveiled their next-gen spacesuit design, previously shrouded under a dark layer. Instead, the sleek and familiarly white spacesuit was unveiled, built to reflect heat and safeguard astronauts from lunar dust.
Back in 2022, NASA assigned Axiom Space the responsibility of developing the first moon-walking spacesuits since the Apollo missions, intended for NASA astronauts on the Artemis program's lunar surface. Prior to this, Axiom Space presented the AxEMU spacesuit, encompassed within its initial $228.5 million contract.
The initial glance at the AxEMU spacesuits showed a dark cover layer, obscuring its proprietary technology. The final flight design boasts the capabilities of the suit, including an onboard health monitoring system, cooling system, coated helmet and visor for peripheral vision enhancement, and pressure garments.
Next-generation spacesuits are engineered to provide astronauts with improved range of motion and increased safety while venturing on the lunar surface. The AxEMU was designed to preserve the legacy of NASA spacesuits while incorporating new technology and flexibility, as well as enhanced protection from the lunar environment. It represents an evolution, with the current design worn by NASA astronauts reaching its 40-year milestone.
Axiom Space collaborated with Prada, drawing upon the brand's design and material expertise, to create an aesthetically pleasing, reliable suit for lunar explorers. Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group’s chief marketing officer, stated proudly, "We've shared our expertise on high-performance materials, features, and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot."
The AxEMU spacesuit is intended for astronauts participating in NASA's Artemis 3 mission, slated to launch in September 2026. According to Axiom Space, the suit is "nearing the final development stage," having undergone a pressurized simulation with NASA and SpaceX for the Artemis 3 mission.
"We are ushering in a new era of space exploration, where partnerships are essential for commercial space ventures," said Russell Ralston, executive vice president of Extravehicular Activity at Axiom Space. "For the first time, we are leveraging knowledge from other industries to produce a superior space solution."
In 2026, astronauts participating in NASA's Artemis 3 mission will wear the AxEMU spacesuit, a collaboration between Axiom Space and luxury brand Prada. This suit, nearing the final development stage, was designed to provide improved range of motion and increased safety for lunar exploration. It features advanced technology, such as an onboard health monitoring system, cooling system, coated helmet and visor for enhanced peripheral vision, and pressure garments. The spacesuit is engineered to reflect heat and safeguard astronauts from lunar dust, marking a stylish return to the Moon in less than five years.
