Astronauts Will Wear Prada: The Brand Designs Spacesuits for Moonwalks

An unexpected fashion show took place in Milan as Prada revealed the spacesuits astronauts will wear on the Moon. Here's what we know about this blend of design and technology.

It turns out that the Devil isn't the only one who wears Prada. Soon, astronauts on a lunar mission will be donning suits designed by the iconic Italian brand.

Fashion house Prada, in collaboration with space company Axiom Space, showcased the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) for the first time at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan. This suit is set to be worn by astronauts on the Artemis III mission, a future expedition to the Moon.

What's unique about these spacesuits? They are crafted from a white, heat-reflective material that shields astronauts from extreme temperatures and lunar dust. The suits are built to endure the frigid temperatures in permanently shadowed areas of the Moon, as well as the intense heat at the Moon's sunlit south pole.

The AxEMU includes custom gloves, manufactured in-house, which offer superior functionality compared to current models. Additionally, the helmet and visor have advanced coatings to enhance astronauts' vision. The suit is equipped with a regenerative carbon dioxide scrubbing system and cooling technology that removes excess heat, allowing astronauts to remain in space for up to eight hours.

According to Lorenzo Bertelli, Marketing Director of the Prada Group, this collaboration with Axiom Space is just the beginning. "Going beyond our limits is one of the company's values that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Prada brand and my parents' vision. I'm very proud of the result we're showing today, which is just the first step in a long-term collaboration with Axiom Space. We've shared our expertise on high-performance materials, features, and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot. I'm sure we'll continue to explore new challenges, broaden our horizons, and build new scenarios together," said Bertelli.

Scheduled for launch in fall 2026, NASA's Artemis III mission will mark the first human landing on the Moon since the Apollo 17 flight in 1972. In preparation, the Artemis II mission will take place next year, where astronauts will fly around the Moon in a training mission, orbiting Earth's satellite.