Prada and Axiom Design Moon Suit's Cooling Layer for 2028

The spacesuit that will return humans to the Moon in 2028 just got a serious upgrade, thanks to an unexpected partnership between space technology and high fashion.

Axiom Space revealed the cooling undergarment for its lunar spacesuit last week in New York, developed alongside luxury brand Prada. The Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment will keep astronauts comfortable during moonwalks on the Artemis 4 mission.

This isn't just any undershirt. The garment sits closest to the astronaut's skin and connects directly to life support systems. Russell Ralston, senior vice president at Axiom, explained that comfort and safety go hand in hand when you're working on the lunar surface.

The new design beats older NASA spacesuits in several ways. Cooling tubes are woven more efficiently throughout the fabric, with a backup cooling line for safety. The material itself is softer and more comfortable than what astronauts currently wear on the International Space Station.

The suit also tackles a unique Moon problem. The lunar surface has a plasma environment that can cause electrical charging, so engineers chose materials specifically to prevent that issue.

Why partner with a fashion brand for space exploration? Prada brings world-class expertise in working with soft materials and large-scale manufacturing. Lorenzo Bertelli, chief marketing officer of Prada Group, pointed out that luxury companies control their entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished products.

This vertical integration means something revolutionary for space travel. Instead of offering spacesuits in small, medium, and large, Axiom and Prada can create custom-fitted suits for each astronaut. The tailor-made approach should dramatically improve comfort and mobility without sacrificing safety or driving up costs.

The Ripple Effect

This collaboration represents more than just better spacesuits. It shows how different industries can solve complex problems together. Prada's decades of experience making precision garments for millions of people translates perfectly to the challenge of outfitting astronauts.

The manufacturing efficiency matters for the future too. If space travel expands to thousands or millions of people someday, scalable production becomes essential. Prada's proven systems could help make that future possible.

Axiom has already put the cooling garment through extensive ground testing, checking everything from material compatibility to how well the cooling works on different body types. The version unveiled last week is the third or fourth design iteration. The real test will come next year when astronauts try it in space, likely on the International Space Station.

NASA's inspector general raised concerns in April about potential delays, but Axiom's CEO Jonathan Cirtain remains confident they're on track. The company plans to deliver a qualification suit to NASA by year's end and a prototype for space testing in 2025.

The Moon is getting closer, and astronauts will be more comfortable when they get there.