Axiom Space and Prada Showcase the Inner Layer of AxEMU Space Suits for Artemis Missions

On June 9, NASA will announce important news regarding the Artemis III mission, scheduled for the second half of 2027, including details about the crew involved. Just before this event, Axiom Space and Prada revealed the inner layer of the new AxEMU space suits (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit), which will potentially be used in tests during Artemis III and will be a fundamental element of Artemis IV, when humanity returns to walk on the Moon, possibly in early 2028.

Until now, we had only seen the exterior of the new AxEMU space suits, developed from NASA's xEMU, first with a dark color to hide some details and later in the final light color (to reflect solar radiation and not excessively increase temperature). These suits will also be used for future EVAs, extravehicular activities or spacewalks, aboard the International Space Station and the upcoming Axiom Station.

A New Look at Axiom Space's Artemis AxEMU Suits

While similar in shape to other space suits for extravehicular activities, the new AxEMU have been reworked in many technical and technological aspects. In particular, maximum attention has been paid to the comfort of astronauts (of various body types) with greater flexibility and easier movements.

For the first time, Axiom Space and Prada showcased what lies beneath the exterior. The inner layer, called the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), is crucial because it allows for the temperature regulation of astronauts during spacewalks. Jonathan Cirtain (CEO and President of Axiom Space) stated, "The future of space exploration will not be built by any one entity alone, and our partnership with Prada is proof of that. By combining the best of aerospace engineering with luxury craftsmanship and advanced product development, we created a garment that neither company could have developed independently, and this is exactly the type of cross-industry thinking that will define the next era of human spaceflight."

The collaboration with the Prada brand was announced at the end of 2024, and now its fruits are visible. To develop the LCVG system, Axiom Space was supported by Prada in selecting suitable fibers for the purpose, sewing, and product design, treating the space suit as a true piece of wearable technology. The AxEMU can thus be worn by astronauts for 8 hours continuously without interrupting lunar surface exploration activities.

As the name suggests, the LCVG system allows cold water to circulate through a network of tubes that run through the body's major muscle groups. This system thus helps absorb and remove heat generated by the body's metabolism and dispose of it through the life support system integrated into the suit, dispersing it into space.

Compared to previous systems, Axiom Space stated that its Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment is equipped with fully redundant hardware. If the primary system fails, the auxiliary system can still support the astronauts' activities.

Near the astronaut's face, there is a ventilation system (which uses a different tube system) that provides fresh oxygen to the face to expel the carbon dioxide that is exhaled (which is then absorbed as new oxygen circulates). As previously stated, extravehicular suits, like the AxEMU, are essentially small one-person spacecraft with high complexity. They serve as a barrier separating the astronaut's body from the inhospitable expanse of space.