Astronauts embarking on NASA's Artemis 3 mission to the Moon's South Pole in 2026, will be walking in style with Italian luxury brand Prada. Prada has collaborated with Axiom Space for the design of spacesuits for the Artemis mission. These suits, engineered by Prada, will provide support to the astronauts as they venture to explore the moon’s weirdest environments.
Let us compare these state-of-the-art suits to NASA’s iconic Apollo-era suits and learn what advancements have been made in the past five decades.
Astronauts donned the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) during the Apollo missions. The suit was designed so that it can be used in the vacuum of space and the Moon's surface. The purpose of EMU was clear- survival. The Apollo suits could withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, micrometeoroid impacts and harmful solar radiation- thanks to its outer layer made of Teflon-coated fiberglass. The suits also featured a portable life-support system, which provided oxygen, controlled temperature, and removed carbon dioxide.
While highly effective, the Apollo suits had significant limitations. They were bulky, weighing about 180 pounds on Earth, and restricted astronauts’ movement. The gloves were cumbersome, making delicate tasks challenging. Despite these drawbacks, the suits allowed astronauts to conduct successful moonwalks, but improvements were inevitable as space exploration advanced.
Prada’s involvement in NASA’s Artemis 3 mission represents the first time a luxury fashion house has contributed to space suit design. While Prada is better known for high fashion than high tech, its expertise in materials, craftsmanship, and innovative design is expected to make a significant impact on the functionality and aesthetics of these suits.
The new suits are part of Axiom Space’s AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit), designed to improve mobility, comfort, and safety for astronauts exploring the Moon’s South Pole. The Artemis 3 suits will be lighter, more flexible, and provide better thermal protection than their Apollo-era predecessors.
One of the critical issues with the Apollo suits was the limited range of motion. Astronauts often had to hop or shuffle, as bending and walking naturally were difficult. The Artemis 3 suits, however, are being designed with enhanced mobility in mind. By using advanced materials and new joint designs, these suits will allow astronauts greater flexibility and dexterity. This is especially important for the rugged and uneven terrain of the Moon’s South Pole, where the terrain will demand more agility than what was required during the Apollo missions.
Another major improvement is weight reduction. The Apollo suits were heavy and cumbersome, even in the Moon’s lower gravity. Prada’s contributions are expected to streamline the Artemis suits, using lightweight materials that maintain durability while reducing the physical burden on astronauts. This will make it easier for them to move around, carry equipment, and conduct scientific tasks with greater efficiency.
The Moon’s South Pole presents unique challenges, with areas that remain in permanent shadow, making it one of the coldest places in the solar system. To protect astronauts from these extreme conditions, Prada’s suit design will incorporate cutting-edge thermal insulation. This is a significant improvement from the Apollo suits, which, while durable, lacked the advanced insulation technology that is now available.
The life support systems in the Artemis suits are expected to be more advanced, providing astronauts with better environmental control and oxygen supply for extended missions. The system will also be optimized for lunar dust mitigation, which was a significant issue during the Apollo missions. Moon dust is sharp and abrasive, and it damaged spacesuits during the Apollo era. The Artemis suits will feature improvements to prevent dust from compromising the integrity of the suits.
Prada’s experience in tailoring and materials is expected to offer a more comfortable and custom fit for astronauts. Unlike the somewhat generic Apollo suits, which were made with less emphasis on ergonomics, the Artemis suits will likely include more personalized elements, improving comfort during long missions. This is crucial for the psychological and physical well-being of astronauts on extended lunar stays.
While function is paramount, Prada is also expected to add aesthetic touches to the Artemis suits, balancing style with functionality. The Artemis 3 suits will be visually distinct, and as the first suits to walk on the Moon in over 50 years, they’ll likely become iconic in their own right.
