Blab Tech
Prada and Axiom Space Unveil Liquid-Cooling Garment for NASAs Artemis IV Moon Mission
Prada and Axiom Space announced a new liquid‑cooling garment that will be worn inside NASA’s Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit during the Artemis IV mission, scheduled for 2028. The garment, called the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), is designed to regulate astronauts’ body temperature while they walk on the lunar surface.
The Artemis program, led by NASA, aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. After the uncrewed Artemis I flight in 2022 and the crewed Artemis II fly‑by in 2026, Artemis IV will be the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo era. The mission will target the lunar south pole, an area with extreme temperature swings and permanently shadowed craters that could contain water ice.
The LCVG is a one‑piece, liquid‑cooling system that circulates a temperature‑controlled fluid through a network of tubes embedded in the garment’s fabric. The system draws heat away from the body and vents it outside the suit, maintaining a comfortable temperature for astronauts who can spend up to 8–10 hours on the surface. The garment is engineered to fit snugly under the AxEMU’s outer layers, providing a seamless interface between the astronaut’s body and the suit’s pressure system.
Prada’s involvement focuses on the garment’s design, material selection, and aesthetic integration. The fashion house has a history of experimenting with advanced textiles, and its partnership with Axiom Space brings a high‑performance, lightweight fabric that meets NASA’s strict safety and durability standards. Axiom Space, a private space infrastructure company, is responsible for developing the AxEMU suit and coordinating the overall integration of the LCVG into the mission’s hardware.
The collaboration highlights the growing trend of cross‑industry partnerships in space exploration. By combining Prada’s expertise in cutting‑edge fabrics with Axiom’s engineering capabilities, the team has produced a garment that meets the rigorous thermal control requirements of lunar operations while maintaining a streamlined, ergonomic fit. The LCVG is expected to improve crew endurance and reduce the risk of heat‑related fatigue during extended extravehicular activities.
NASA officials confirmed that the LCVG will undergo a series of ground‑based tests before the Artemis IV launch. The garment’s performance will be evaluated in simulated lunar temperature environments and in conjunction with the full AxEMU suit. If successful, the technology could be adapted for future missions to Mars or other planetary bodies where thermal regulation is critical.
As Artemis IV approaches, the LCVG represents a tangible step toward safer, more efficient lunar exploration. The garment’s development, announced in June 2026, underscores the importance of integrating advanced materials science into space‑flight hardware and illustrates how commercial partners can contribute to national space objectives.
The Artemis program, led by NASA, aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. After the uncrewed Artemis I flight in 2022 and the crewed Artemis II fly‑by in 2026, Artemis IV will be the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo era. The mission will target the lunar south pole, an area with extreme temperature swings and permanently shadowed craters that could contain water ice.
The LCVG is a one‑piece, liquid‑cooling system that circulates a temperature‑controlled fluid through a network of tubes embedded in the garment’s fabric. The system draws heat away from the body and vents it outside the suit, maintaining a comfortable temperature for astronauts who can spend up to 8–10 hours on the surface. The garment is engineered to fit snugly under the AxEMU’s outer layers, providing a seamless interface between the astronaut’s body and the suit’s pressure system.
Prada’s involvement focuses on the garment’s design, material selection, and aesthetic integration. The fashion house has a history of experimenting with advanced textiles, and its partnership with Axiom Space brings a high‑performance, lightweight fabric that meets NASA’s strict safety and durability standards. Axiom Space, a private space infrastructure company, is responsible for developing the AxEMU suit and coordinating the overall integration of the LCVG into the mission’s hardware.
The collaboration highlights the growing trend of cross‑industry partnerships in space exploration. By combining Prada’s expertise in cutting‑edge fabrics with Axiom’s engineering capabilities, the team has produced a garment that meets the rigorous thermal control requirements of lunar operations while maintaining a streamlined, ergonomic fit. The LCVG is expected to improve crew endurance and reduce the risk of heat‑related fatigue during extended extravehicular activities.
NASA officials confirmed that the LCVG will undergo a series of ground‑based tests before the Artemis IV launch. The garment’s performance will be evaluated in simulated lunar temperature environments and in conjunction with the full AxEMU suit. If successful, the technology could be adapted for future missions to Mars or other planetary bodies where thermal regulation is critical.
As Artemis IV approaches, the LCVG represents a tangible step toward safer, more efficient lunar exploration. The garment’s development, announced in June 2026, underscores the importance of integrating advanced materials science into space‑flight hardware and illustrates how commercial partners can contribute to national space objectives.
