What happens when Italian fashion meets American space engineering? You get a pair of long johns that cost more than a luxury car and are destined for the lunar surface. In a collaboration that sounds like the setup for a punchline, NASA has tapped the iconic fashion house Prada to design the undergarments for the Artemis astronauts who will walk on the Moon later this decade.
But these are not the silk boxers you might imagine. The garments—technically called the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG)—are a marvel of thermal regulation, designed to keep astronauts comfortable and safe during grueling moonwalks that could last up to eight hours. And yes, they bear the distinctive Prada label.
The Space Age Meets High Fashion
In October 2024, Axiom Space, the private company contracted by NASA to build the next-generation lunar spacesuit, revealed that Prada would contribute its expertise in high-performance textiles to the design of the outer layer of the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit). But the collaboration goes deeper—literally. The base layer, the LCVG, is being co-developed with Prada’s technical wear division.
“This partnership isn’t about branding or vanity,” says Dr. Elena Vasquez, an aerospace physiologist at the University of Colorado who specializes in thermal regulation for spaceflight. “It’s about solving a very real engineering challenge: how to wick away sweat and dissipate heat in a vacuum, where convection doesn’t exist.”
The LCVG works like a radiator wrapped around the astronaut’s body. It consists of a mesh of elasticized fabric interwoven with more than 300 feet of narrow polyvinyl tubing. A battery-powered pump circulates chilled water through these tubes at a rate of one liter per minute, absorbing body heat and carrying it to a sublimator in the backpack that vents the heat to space.
Prada’s contribution? Advanced moisture-wicking fibers and a cut that reduces chafing during the high-stress movements of lunar exploration. The result is a garment that fits like a second skin, allowing full range of motion while keeping the astronaut’s core temperature within a narrow, safe band.
More Than Just a Pretty Fabric
To understand why NASA would bring in a fashion house, you have to look at the history of spacesuit design. The Apollo-era LCVG was a loose-fitting knit of cotton and spandex with rigid plastic connectors. It was functional but uncomfortable. Astronauts often complained of hot spots and moisture buildup. For Artemis, the requirements are far more demanding: crews will explore the lunar south pole, where temperatures range from -230°F to 130°F (-146°C to 54°C).
“The Apollo suits were like wearing a tent inside a thermos,” says Marco Bellini, senior designer at Prada’s technical wear division. “Our goal was to create a garment that moves with the astronaut, breathes like a high-end athletic shirt, and still provides the thermal safety margin required for deep space.”
Prada brought its expertise in layered textile systems honed for extreme environments—think deep-sea diving suits and polar expedition gear. The new LCVG uses a proprietary blend of nylon, elastane, and a ceramic-infused polyester that reflects infrared radiation while wicking sweat through capillary action. Tests in Axiom’s vacuum chamber show that it reduces heat buildup by 20% compared to the Apollo design.
The garment also incorporates a new generation of sensors. Thin, flexible electronics embedded in the fabric monitor skin temperature, heart rate, and hydration levels, transmitting data to the suit’s onboard computer. If an astronaut starts to overheat, the pump automatically increases flow. “It’s like having a personal climate control system that you don’t even notice,” Vasquez adds.
Why Prada? The Intersection of Form and Function
The choice of Prada is not as outlandish as it sounds. The Milanese fashion house has a little-known engineering division that develops technical fabrics for military and aviation use. Their signature nylon—used in backpacks and luggage—is actually a high-tenacity polyamide originally designed for parachutes. “Fashion and aerospace have always shared a love of materials,” says Bellini. “We are simply taking that collaboration to its logical extreme.”
For NASA, the partnership also serves a public relations purpose. The Artemis program aims to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon—and to inspire a new generation. A sleek, modern spacesuit with a recognizable fashion label makes the mission feel contemporary and aspirational. It also helps sell the story to a public that may have grown jaded about lunar exploration.
“If wearing Prada long johns gets kids excited about STEM, then I’m all for it,” says Dr. Vasquez with a smile. “But make no mistake: these are serious pieces of engineering that could save lives.”
What This Means for the Future of Space Exploration
The AxEMU suit, with its Prada-designed LCVG, is scheduled for its first lunar test during Artemis III, currently targeted for late 2026 or early 2027. But the implications extend beyond the Moon. The same thermal regulation technology could be adapted for Mars, where temperatures swing even more dramatically. Prada is already in talks with Axiom about developing a version for low‑Earth orbit commercial space stations.
And then there is the broader message: space is no longer the exclusive domain of government agencies and military contractors. It is becoming a place where private industry and even luxury brands can contribute. Just as Rolex watches accompanied climbers to Everest, Prada long johns may soon be standard issue for anyone stepping onto another world.
“Fashion is about protection and expression,” Bellini muses. “On the Moon, protection is everything. But if we can help astronauts look good while doing history, that’s a bonus.”
