Why NASA's next Moon astronauts could wear technology developed with Prada

NASA’s Artemis missions will rely on Axiom Space’s next-generation lunar spacesuit, the AxEMU, which incorporates a cooling and ventilation garment developed in collaboration with Prada. The Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) regulates body temperature by circulating cooled water through tubes near major muscle groups, transferring heat to the suit’s life-support system and expelling it into space. It also aids oxygen circulation and carbon dioxide removal, enhancing astronaut comfort during long-duration missions. The LCVG was designed using advanced 3D modeling and high-performance materials from Prada’s technical expertise, ensuring durability for repeated lunar surface use. It will be worn beneath the AxEMU, which offers greater mobility than Apollo-era suits and protects against lunar dust, temperature extremes, and prolonged environmental exposure. Axiom Space CEO Jonathan Cirtain emphasized the partnership’s value, stating the garment could not have been developed independently by either company. Prada’s experience in high-performance materials complemented Axiom’s spacesuit engineering, bridging fashion and aerospace innovation. NASA’s Artemis program aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon, with future missions targeting the lunar south pole. Technologies like the AxEMU and LCVG are critical for enabling astronauts to conduct extended surface operations safely. Mission schedules remain flexible, but these advancements are key to supporting long-term lunar exploration.