In an unprecedented collaboration, Italian luxury fashion brand Prada and Texas-based startup Axiom Space have joined forces to design the spacesuits for NASA's Artemis III lunar mission. This groundbreaking partnership marks the first time a high-end fashion house has collaborated with a commercial space company on spacesuit design. The Artemis III mission, set to launch in 2025, will be NASA's first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. It will also make history by placing the first woman on the Moon.

In the first partnership between an Italian luxury fashion house and a commercial space company, Prada’s engineers are working alongside @Axiom_Space to help design spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis III lunar mission planned for 2025. https://t.co/iYHo6Rd1ts. #Prada #AxEMU pic.twitter.com/TmkGIo5RoH

— PRADA (@Prada) October 4, 2023

With this momentous mission on the horizon, Prada and Axiom Space are working together to develop innovative solutions for materials and design features that will protect astronauts from the challenges of space and the lunar environment. Prada's engineers will closely collaborate with Axiom Space's systems team throughout the design process. With their combined expertise in raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and design concepts, they aim to create spacesuits that not only ensure the comfort of astronauts but also incorporate essential human factors considerations, which were previously absent from legacy spacesuits.

The AxEMU spacesuit, developed through this partnership, will offer advanced capabilities for space exploration while providing NASA with commercially developed human systems necessary for lunar missions. These state-of-the-art spacesuits will offer increased flexibility, enhanced protection against the harsh lunar environment, and specialized tools for scientific exploration. Both Prada and Axiom Space expressed their enthusiasm for this historic collaboration. Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space, praised Prada's technical expertise and stated that their contribution will be instrumental in ensuring the comfort and safety of astronauts on the lunar surface.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Marketing Director, highlighted the brand's commitment to innovation and its eagerness to contribute to space exploration. This partnership not only demonstrates the fashion industry's potential in the field of space but also represents a significant step forward in humanity's quest to understand and explore our celestial neighbor. Prada's blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology, combined with Axiom Space's groundbreaking commercial space endeavors, has the potential to push the boundaries of space exploration.

Through their joint efforts, they aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of the Moon, the solar system, and beyond. As we eagerly await the Artemis III mission, it is clear that Prada and Axiom Space's collaboration is poised to leave an indelible mark on the future of space exploration. This extraordinary partnership not only highlights the power of innovation and collaboration but also presents a unique opportunity for the fashion world to make its mark on the final frontier.