The new suit is designed to keep astronauts safe and flexible as the United States looks to resume lunar exploration. Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space/Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space
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Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space/Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space
NASA’s new spacesuit is being developed in preparation for the return of humans to the moon in 2026, with the help of Italian luxury fashion brand Prada.
Axiom Space and Prada unveiled the flight design of the Axiom External Maneuvering Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit for the first time this week at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan.
The suit will be used on NASA’s historic Artemis III mission in 2026, marking the first return of humans to the moon since 1972.
“Our elite team has redefined spacesuit development and established a new path to innovative solutions, applying a cutting-edge design approach to AxEMU,” said Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space. Ta. “We broke the mold.”
Design for Axiom Space. Prada’s spacesuit is the first woman and person of color to land on the moon. Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space/Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space
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Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space/Image provided by: Prada/Axiom Space
The modernized suit is primarily intended to keep astronauts safe in the harsh environment of space, with improved maneuverability from the initial design almost a secondary mission. .
Axiom Space said in a release announcing the suit’s design that the suit offers increased flexibility, performance and safety, and provides scientists with mission-specific tools.
The suit is one size fits all and includes lights, an HD camera, 4G/LTE communications, and in-suit nutrition.
“It can withstand the extreme temperatures of the moon’s south pole and the coldest temperatures of permanently shadowed regions for at least two hours. Astronauts will be able to perform spacewalks for at least eight hours.” This is stated in the press release announcing the new design.
The United States has long dreamed of returning astronauts to the moon, but the U.S. space program has been plagued by technological delays and a lack of funding.
In 2019, the Trump administration directed NASA to land humans on the moon’s unexplored south pole by 2024, with the ultimate goal of landing humans on Mars.
However, the plan was delayed partly because the design standards for the space suit could not be met in time.
When the Artemis III mission launches, it will be the first woman and first person of color to cross the low-gravity surface of the moon.
Axiom Space says the suit is nearing the final stages of development and has already completed the most significant pressurization simulations since the Apollo missions.
