Prada and Axiom Space unveiled a Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) that will sit beneath NASA’s Artemis IV Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) suits, aiming to keep astronauts safe on the moon’s harsh surface. the garment circulates cold water through tubes across major muscle groups, while also supplying oxygen and venting carbon dioxide, according to the joint announcement.

Prada’s Design DNA Infuses the LCVG’s Fabric

According to Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sustainability at Prada Group,the LCVG benefits from Prada’s expertise in patternmaking and advanced materials. “It stems from the unique combination of Axiom’s space expertise and Prada’s know‑how in design,” Bertelli said, highlighting how luxury fashion techniques are being repurposed for life‑support gear.

Axiom’s Engineering Rigor Ensures Redundancy and Safety

Russell Ralston, Senior Vice President of Spacecraft Development for Axiom Space, emphasized the garment’s dual role in thermal regulation and respiratory support. “Every minute astronauts spend outside their vehicle, the LCVG is working to keep them safe,” Ralston noted, underscoring the backup cooling system that guarantees redundancy in the unforgiving lunar environment.

Artemis IV’s 2028 Deadline Adds Pressure to the Collaboration

NASA’s Artemis IV mission, slated for as early as 2028, will be the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. the LCVG’s development is part of the broader effort to equip astronauts for the extreme temperature swings and limited breathable air on the moon, as reported in the joint press release.

Unknowns: How Will the Garment Perform in Real Lunar Conditions?

While the LCVG’s design promises robust thermal and respiratory support, the source does not detail field‑testing results or how the garment will handle the moon’s vacuum and radiation exposure. additionally, the exact materials used and their long‑term durability under lunar dust remain unverified.

According to the source, the collaboration marks a fusion of engineering rigor and advanced material design, but the practical performance of the garment in actual lunar missions is still to be proven.