June 20, 2026, 12:23 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
NASA is preparing its return to the moon with support from an unexpected industry. Together with the space company Axiom Space, the Italian fashion house Prada is working on technology for future Artemis missions. The focus is on a special cooling and ventilation system designed to protect astronauts from extreme heat during their missions on the lunar surface.
Cooling System for Use on the Moon
More than 50 years after the Apollo missions, humans are set to land on the moon again. For this, astronauts need equipment that can withstand the unique conditions on the lunar surface. Axiom Space and Prada have developed the so-called Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, or LCVG. This cooling garment is worn under the new AxEMU lunar spacesuit.
The system is designed to help regulate astronauts’ body temperature even during extended missions. The garment fits closely to the body and is an essential component of the entire spacesuit.
Network of Tubes Diverts Heat
Inside the garment runs a network of thin tubes. Cooled water flows through these tubes, allowing excess body heat to be absorbed and diverted away from the body. This is particularly important during extravehicular activities or scientific work on the moon.
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The absorbed heat then enters the spacesuit’s life support system, from where it is released into space. However, the cooling system also serves other functions. It supports oxygen circulation and helps remove exhaled carbon dioxide from the system. This is especially important during longer stays on the lunar surface.
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Prada Contributes Technical Expertise
Although Prada is primarily known as a luxury brand, it has reportedly been working with technical materials and modern manufacturing methods for years. This knowledge was incorporated into the development of the cooling system. The design was created using 3D modeling and is intended for repeated use on long-term missions.
The new AxEMU spacesuit is also designed to offer astronauts more freedom of movement than the earlier Apollo suits. At the same time, it is developed to better handle challenges such as lunar dust, extreme temperature fluctuations, and longer stays on the lunar surface.
Collaboration Across Industries
According to Axiom Space, the joint project demonstrates the benefits that collaborations between different industries can bring to space exploration. The combination of space technology and the technical expertise of a fashion company is expected to provide new solutions for future lunar missions.