NASA has entrusted Axiom Space with Artemis III mission, slated to send humans back to the moon in 2026. Axiom Space, a renowned space company, has been tasked with developing the spacesuit for this mission.
A year prior, Axiom Space collaborated with fashion brand Prada to craft the spacesuit. Prada’s expertise in high-performance materials and cutting-edge sewing techniques contributed to the development of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU).
Prada’s innovative sewing technology reduced the spacing between the outer white layers (used for heat reflection and lunar dust protection) and the engineering functions of the suit, ensuring greater comfort for astronauts. Meanwhile, AxEMU was designed by Axiom Space to be highly functional, safe, versatile for both men and women, and durable in extreme temperatures on the moon’s south pole region.
The suit is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of Artemis III mission, providing comfort during spacewalks for at least 8 hours. It features a heat dissipation system, carbon dioxide management, and custom-designed gloves derived from the current spacesuit model. The helmet utilizes advanced surface coating techniques to enhance visibility for astronauts.
AxEMU underwent testing by NASA in an underwater mock simulation of lunar conditions without human subjects and subsequent pressure testing to mimic lunar conditions. Next steps involve testing with human subjects underwater, followed by a review with NASA in 2025.
TLDR: Axiom Space and Prada collaborated on developing the AxEMU spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission, combining cutting-edge technology and design expertise for lunar exploration.
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