The piece was developed for future space agency missions in partnership with Axiom Space
A and liquid ventilation for use under the AxEMU spacesuit, developed by Axiom Space for NASA astronauts. The innerwear is part of the collaboration between the Italian brand and the aerospace company for future lunar missions under the Artemis program.
The piece is called LCVG (Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, in English). It functions as a base layer worn next to the astronaut’s body. The system circulates cold water through tubes positioned over the main muscle groups. The objective is to absorb body heat generated during activities outside the ship or space station.
The heat captured by the water is taken to the suit’s portable life support system and then expelled into space. The mechanism helps maintain body temperature during spacewalks of up to eight hours.
The suit also has ventilation tubes. They bring oxygen to the astronaut’s face and remove exhaled carbon dioxide. The system integrates the mechanisms that maintain safe conditions inside the suit.
Prada said it used 3D modeling techniques and knowledge of technical knitting in developing the piece. The brand also participated in the choice of high-performance fibers and materials, with a focus on comfort, resistance and reuse over prolonged missions.
The inner layer will be used under the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit), a spacesuit designed by Axiom Space for NASA. The outer suit was introduced in 2024 and was developed to protect astronauts from extreme temperature variations, lunar dust and solar radiation.
The AxEMU has a helmet, visor, gloves and boots intended for activities on the surface of the Moon. Prada also participated in the development of the external part, with contributions in materials, sewing and finishing. The costume has red details associated with the Italian brand’s Linea Rossa line.
Axiom Space CEO and President Jonathan Cirtain said the partnership demonstrates how space exploration depends on collaboration between different sectors.
“By bringing together the best of aerospace engineering, luxury craftsmanship and advanced product development, we have developed a piece that neither company could have created independently”he declared.
NASA intends to use the suits in the next stages of the Artemis program, aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon and preparing for long-term missions. The agency plans to launch 4 in 2028, with astronauts destined for the Moon’s south polar region.
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