Rome: Astronauts walking on the moon as part of NASA's first human mission to the lunar South Pole will be wearing Prada, as part of a new venture unveiled on Wednesday.
Private space company Axiom Space teamed up with the Italian luxury brand to provide the surface suits and spacewalk systems for NASA's Artemis 3 mission, which is planned for September 2026.
The external layer of the space suit, designed to reflect heat, is largely white, as it was on the suits worn by the Apollo astronauts who last walked on the moon more than 50 years ago.
But the update will have a few touches of grey and some red stripes similar to those seen on Italy's Luna Rossa America's Cup boat, which was also sponsored by Prada.
Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, told a press launch in Milan that making the suit had required "extreme engineering" and "fantastic manufacturing capability".
"They will go in places that are incredibly hazardous, extreme environments," he said.
"One of the missions that NASA wants to do is to try to find water craters at the South Pole. These are some of the coldest places in the universe. And so this suit has to be designed very cleverly."
At the lunar South Pole, a land of mountains and deep craters, the sun hovers below or just above the horizon.
As a result, temperatures vary from upwards of 54 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Fahrenheit) in sunlit periods to minus 203 degrees Celsius (minus 334 degrees Fahrenheit) in shadowed areas that have never see the sun, NASA says.
The suit aims to provide maximum comfort to the astronauts, the team said, while also protecting them against radiation, external pressure and provide the power and oxygen they need for up to eight hours of moonwalks.
With the mission set to see the first woman on the moon, the suits are also unisex and can be adapted to different sizes.
"We've blended engineering, science and art to produce the ultimate garments for future moonwalkers, ensuring that astronauts can perform their tasks and missions in safety and comfort," said Russell Ralston, Axiom spacesuit programme manager.
The design of the boots was a particular challenge, in terms of insulation and to make them robust enough for the terrain.
But the materials used are "confidential", said Lorenzo Bertelli, marketing manager for Prada and the son of the fashion house's founder, Miuccia Prada.
Private space company Axiom Space teamed up with the Italian luxury brand to provide the surface suits and spacewalk systems for NASA's Artemis 3 mission, which is planned for September 2026.
The external layer of the space suit, designed to reflect heat, is largely white, as it was on the suits worn by the Apollo astronauts who last walked on the moon more than 50 years ago.
But the update will have a few touches of grey and some red stripes similar to those seen on Italy's Luna Rossa America's Cup boat, which was also sponsored by Prada.
Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, told a press launch in Milan that making the suit had required "extreme engineering" and "fantastic manufacturing capability".
"They will go in places that are incredibly hazardous, extreme environments," he said.
"One of the missions that NASA wants to do is to try to find water craters at the South Pole. These are some of the coldest places in the universe. And so this suit has to be designed very cleverly."
At the lunar South Pole, a land of mountains and deep craters, the sun hovers below or just above the horizon.
As a result, temperatures vary from upwards of 54 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Fahrenheit) in sunlit periods to minus 203 degrees Celsius (minus 334 degrees Fahrenheit) in shadowed areas that have never see the sun, NASA says.
The suit aims to provide maximum comfort to the astronauts, the team said, while also protecting them against radiation, external pressure and provide the power and oxygen they need for up to eight hours of moonwalks.
With the mission set to see the first woman on the moon, the suits are also unisex and can be adapted to different sizes.
"We've blended engineering, science and art to produce the ultimate garments for future moonwalkers, ensuring that astronauts can perform their tasks and missions in safety and comfort," said Russell Ralston, Axiom spacesuit programme manager.
The design of the boots was a particular challenge, in terms of insulation and to make them robust enough for the terrain.
But the materials used are "confidential", said Lorenzo Bertelli, marketing manager for Prada and the son of the fashion house's founder, Miuccia Prada.
You may also like
Celebrity chef Shabir Hussain - dubbed the 'King of Curry' -dies aged 56
Debenhams' 'easy to wear' and 'flattering' autumn dress is perfect with boots
4 Pakistani stars popular in India without even Bollywood debut
Samsung Galaxy Ring: Galaxy Ring launched in India, will last for 7 days; Know the price and features
Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp made his feelings clear on Thomas Tuchel's coaching credentials
Number of successful cyberattacks in the Middle East tripled in Q1 2024, study shows
Nothing's blast on Diwali! New Smartphone is coming, know what will be special
"Candidates to contest elections would be son of soil of Bihar": Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor
Cleaning guru's genius hack to stop spiders invading your home in mating season
Keir Starmer given clear verdict on his time as Prime Minister so far
Maharashtra: Over 69 lakh new names included in voters' list; registration on till Oct 19
Car thief wriggles out from window of crashed truck revealing he's completely naked
3 days after Ratan Tata's death, his pet dog also died! Mumbai Police revealed the truth
Cabinet approves bridge across Ganga traversing Varanasi, Chandauli districts, to have 6-lane highway, four-line railway decks
Not Sachin Or Rohit! Virat Kohli Names ICC Hall Of Famer As 'Most Talented Cricketer' He Played With
Priyanka Chopra Channels Inner Desi Girl As She Greets Paps With Namaste At Mumbai Airport. Watch Viral Video
Fabric softner's incredible use to leave key part of your home super clean
The Tottenham player who has been a godsend for Ange Postecoglou in the Premier League
'I got laid out by Oleksandr Usyk but a fighter I beat twice punched much harder'
Gardeners urged to take action on their borders this month - or regret it next year