Prada and Axiom Space unveiled a liquid-cooling inner-layer garment on Sunday to regulate temperatures for NASA astronauts during lunar missions [1].
This collaboration merges high-fashion textile engineering with aerospace requirements to solve a critical safety challenge: maintaining a stable body temperature in the extreme environments of space. By integrating cooling technology directly into the fabric, the partnership aims to increase astronaut comfort and endurance during extravehicular activities.
The new Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, or LCVG, features knitted-in ventilation tubes designed to circulate water [1, 2]. This system allows for precise thermal regulation, preventing overheating as astronauts perform strenuous tasks on the lunar surface [1, 3].
Prada worked alongside the Houston-based Axiom Space to develop the garment's specialized architecture [1]. The use of knitted tubes represents a shift toward more integrated, flexible materials that can withstand the rigors of spaceflight while providing a snug, efficient fit for the wearer [1].
According to reports, the garment is slated for use during the Artemis IV mission [4]. This specific mission is part of NASA's broader effort to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface [3, 4].
Jonathan Cirtain, CEO of Axiom Space, highlighted the unconventional nature of the partnership. "Expertise for developing space exploration products can come from lots of seemingly unrelated industries," Cirtain said [1].
The project demonstrates a growing trend of public-private partnerships where commercial luxury brands apply industrial design capabilities to government scientific endeavors. While Prada is known for luxury goods, its technical capacity for precision knitting and material science provided the necessary tools for Axiom Space to refine the LCVG's efficiency [1, 2].
“Expertise for developing space exploration products can come from lots of seemingly unrelated industries.”
The partnership between a luxury fashion house and a space infrastructure firm signals a shift in how NASA sources specialized equipment. By leveraging the advanced textile manufacturing of the private sector, space agencies can accelerate the development of wearable technology that is both more durable and more ergonomic than traditional government-designed prototypes.
