Italian luxury house Prada and commercial space company Axiom Space have unveiled the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), the latest milestone in their collaboration on next-generation spacesuit technology for NASA’s Artemis program.
Designed to be worn inside the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, the LCVG serves as a critical inner layer responsible for thermal regulation and life-support functionality. The announcement marks the next phase of the partnership following the unveiling of the AxEMU spacesuit’s outer layer in 2024.
Summary
- Prada and Axiom Space unveiled the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) for the AxEMU lunar spacesuit
- The LCVG was developed as a high-performance inner layer responsible for thermal regulation, ventilation, and astronaut life-support functions
- Prada contributed expertise in engineered knitting, advanced materials, design development, and 3D modeling
- The garment is designed to support spacewalks of up to eight hours and features a fully redundant cooling system
- The unveiling marks a new milestone in the collaboration following the introduction of the AxEMU spacesuit’s outer layer in 2024
Supporting Humanity’s Return to the Moon
Axiom Space is developing the next-generation lunar spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
When the AxEMU spacesuit was unveiled in 2024, Prada contributed to the development of its exterior through design expertise, material selection, and product development support. The outer layer was engineered to withstand the extreme temperatures and micrometeoroid conditions of the lunar South Pole.
The newly revealed LCVG expands that collaboration further, shifting the focus from the suit’s protective outer shell to the layer worn closest to the astronaut’s body.
Applying Prada’s Technical Expertise to Space Exploration
The LCVG incorporates Prada’s expertise in engineered knitting, advanced materials, and innovative design methodologies.
Developed using advanced 3D modeling techniques, the garment is designed to support spacewalks lasting up to eight hours while maintaining cooling and ventilation performance. The design also prioritizes astronaut comfort and mobility during extended lunar surface operations.
Prada’s knowledge of high-performance materials additionally contributed to the identification and sourcing of specialized fibers, allowing the garment to be used repeatedly during long-duration missions.
A Critical Layer for Astronaut Safety
During extravehicular activities, astronauts generate significant metabolic heat. The LCVG addresses this challenge by circulating cold water through a network of tubes positioned along the body’s major muscle groups, transferring excess heat to the spacesuit’s life-support system.
The garment also incorporates a fully redundant cooling circuit, providing a backup system in the event of a primary cooling loop failure—an advancement over previous cooling garment designs.
Beyond thermal management, the LCVG performs a vital ventilation function. A separate network delivers fresh oxygen across the astronaut’s face while continuously removing exhaled carbon dioxide, which is processed through the life-support system before oxygen is recirculated.
According to Axiom Space, the LCVG will be one of the few layers separating astronauts from the harsh environment of space during future lunar missions.
Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, CEO and President of Axiom Space, emphasized the importance of cross-industry collaboration: “The future of space exploration will not be built by any one entity alone, and our partnership with Prada is proof of that. By bringing together the best in both aerospace engineering as well as luxury craftmanship and advanced product development, we have developed a garment that neither company could have created independently, and that is exactly the kind of cross-industry thinking that will define the next era of human spaceflight.”
Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sustainability at Prada Group, highlighted the continued evolution of the partnership: “When we unveiled the AxEMU, we announced that the collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space would continue beyond that first milestone. Today, we are proud to present a new achievement born from the unique combination of Axiom Space’s pioneering expertise and Prada’s know-how in design, patternmaking, and advanced materials, ahead of humanity’s return to the lunar surface. We look forward to continuing this collaboration with Axiom Space, pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers together.”
Russell Ralston, Senior Vice President of Spacecraft Development at Axiom Space, underscored the garment’s operational significance: “Every minute astronauts spend outside their vehicle, the LCVG is working to keep them safe. It manages their thermal environment, supports their breathing, and does it all while they’re pushing their bodies to the limit. The work we have done with Prada has taken that capability to a level we could not have achieved alone.”
A New Intersection Between Fashion and Space Technology
While luxury brands have increasingly explored partnerships related to space and technology, direct involvement in astronaut life-support systems remains rare.
The LCVG represents a notable example of how expertise in materials innovation, manufacturing, and design—traditionally associated with the fashion industry—can be applied to one of the most demanding engineering environments imaginable.
As humanity prepares for a new era of lunar exploration, the collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space highlights the growing role of interdisciplinary partnerships in shaping the future of spaceflight.
Copyright © 2026 Oui Speak Fashion. All rights reserved.
Oui Speak Fashion (OSF)® is a New York-based Global Fashion, Beauty & Luxury Business Media Platform.