The Italian fashion house Prada is partnering with Axiom Space to develop equipment for NASA’s Artemis III lunar mission, according to information from Axiom Space’s communications channels. The collaboration centers on engineering performance gear for the AxEMU, the Extravehicle Mobility Unit that will enable astronauts to move efficiently and safely on the lunar surface and throughout its vicinity.
The Artemis III mission, aiming to reach the Moon in the mid-2020s, would mark the first lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972 and the first mission to land a woman on the lunar surface. This milestone is paired with cutting-edge technology development that supports longer stays, improved mobility, and greater resilience in the harsh lunar environment.
Michael Suffredini, chief executive officer of Axiom Space, stressed the significance of the Prada collaboration: “We are excited to partner with Prada on the AxEMU,” he said. Prada’s deep expertise in raw materials, production processes, and advanced design concepts is expected to contribute to a suit system that balances comfort for astronauts with high-performance capabilities required for lunar exploration. The aim is to move beyond traditional spacesuit design by incorporating human-centered features that enhance mobility, adaptability, and safety in challenging terrain.
Under the collaboration, Prada engineers will work alongside the Axiom Space Systems team throughout the design cycle. Together, they will explore materials, seams, insulation, and protective layers that address the lunar environment’s unique demands, from extreme temperature shifts to abrasive dust. The focus is on creating a suit that not only protects astronauts but also enables extended EVA operations, enabling crews to perform science, exploration, and maintenance tasks more efficiently on and around the Moon.
The partnership aligns with NASA’s broader strategy to leverage private sector innovations to expand human presence in cislunar space. By integrating commercially developed human-systems capabilities into the lunar program, agencies aim to reduce risk, improve mission endurance, and support sustainable operations on the Moon and nearby orbits.
Earlier reports highlighted NASA’s broader scientific agenda, including telescopic observations and planetary studies conducted with state-of-the-art instruments. While the focus here is on space hardware and human systems, the mission is part of a wider sequence of robotic and crewed initiatives designed to deepen humanity’s understanding of the solar system and its moons. The emphasis remains on combining robust engineering with practical usability, ensuring that astronauts can perform complex tasks with confidence during extended surface stays.