First woman on Moon to wear Prada-designed spacesuit for NASA’s 2026 mission

The suit is designed not only to protect astronauts from radiation and the vacuum of space but also to ensure they have the necessary life-support systems for extended moonwalks.

NASA’s upcoming Artemis III mission, set for 2026, will not only mark the return of astronauts to the Moon but will also witness a historic first — a woman walking on the lunar surface. As NASA prepares for this milestone, the agency has collaborated with Italian fashion house Prada and Axiom Space to develop an advanced spacesuit that combines cutting-edge technology with high design standards.

The Artemis III mission, targeting the lunar South Pole, aims to push the boundaries of space exploration, with a focus on areas that have never seen sunlight. The spacesuit, known as the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), is being designed for this mission with both performance and durability at its core. Prada, known for its expertise in luxury design and technical clothing, will bring its engineering know-how to the development of the suit, ensuring that astronauts are well-equipped to handle the Moon's extreme environment.

The suit's outer layer retains a primarily white colour, reflecting heat and providing protection against temperatures that can reach 54 degree Celsius during the day and drop to -203 degree Celsius in the shadowed regions of the lunar South Pole. Prada’s design touch can be seen in the addition of sleek grey and red stripes, reminiscent of its Luna Rossa America's Cup yacht, blending both style and function. While paying homage to the classic Apollo-era spacesuit, this version is upgraded to meet the unique challenges of modern space exploration.

Prada and Axiom Space present the groundbreaking partnership between a leading commercial space company and the Italian fashion house to produce the new Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit for NASAs Artemis III lunar mission, the first crewed Moon landing since pic.twitter.com/AWN3ZWPjFJ

PRADA (@Prada) October 17, 2024

Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, highlighted the complexities involved in designing the AxEMU suit, describing it as an "extreme engineering" challenge. The suit has undergone rigorous testing, including underwater simulations to replicate the lunar conditions astronauts will face. It is tailored to ensure comfort, protection, and functionality during spacewalks, which can last up to eight hours. Additionally, the unisex design of the suit marks a step forward in making space apparel more adaptable, catering to astronauts of various sizes.

NASA is focusingon the Moon’s South Pole due to its unique conditions and the potential discovery of frozen water, a key resource for future lunar missions. The mission will explore craters that have never been exposed to sunlight, offering scientists unprecedented opportunities for research.

As part of NASA’s broader Artemis programme, the Artemis II mission is scheduled for 2025 and will orbit the Moon with a crew on board. Among the crew is Christina Koch, the only woman in the Artemis II team, who is a strong candidate to become the first woman to step onto the lunar surface during Artemis III. To date, only 12 astronauts, all men, have walked on the Moon, making Koch's potential role a historic moment in human space exploration.

Russell Ralston, programme manager for Axiom Space’s spacesuit development, described the AxEMU suit as a fusion of science, engineering, and art. The suit is designed not only to protect astronauts from radiation and the vacuum of space but also to ensure they have the necessary life-support systems for extended moonwalks.