Astronauts walking on the moon for NASA's Artemis 3 mission, set for September 2026, will be wearing suits designed in collaboration with Prada. Axiom Space, a private space company, has teamed up with the Italian luxury brand to create the surface suits and spacewalk systems for NASA’s upcoming lunar mission, which will mark humanity’s return to the moon’s surface after more than 50 years.

The new spacesuit features a predominantly white design, similar to the Apollo suits, but with updated touches, including grey accents and red stripes. These design elements are inspired by Italy's Luna Rossa America's Cup boat, which Prada also sponsored.

Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, highlighted the challenges of creating the suit, stating that it required "extreme engineering" and "fantastic manufacturing capability." He emphasized that the suit needs to withstand incredibly hazardous environments. NASA's mission aims to explore the lunar South Pole, one of the coldest areas in the universe, where temperatures can soar to 54°C (130°F) in sunlit regions and plummet to -203°C (-334°F) in shadowed areas.

The team explained that the suit is designed to offer maximum comfort and protection from radiation and external pressures while providing the power and oxygen needed for up to eight hours of moonwalks. The unisex design is adaptable to various body sizes, ensuring that the first woman on the moon will also be equipped with a perfect fit.

Russell Ralston, Axiom's spacesuit program manager, said that their design blends engineering, science, and art to ensure astronauts can perform their tasks safely and comfortably. One of the primary challenges was designing the boots, which need to provide insulation and be durable enough to withstand the lunar terrain.

Lorenzo Bertelli, marketing manager for Prada, noted that the materials used in the suit, especially for the boots, are "confidential."

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