A garment developed by Axiom Space and Italian fashion house Prada is set to become one of the most important pieces of equipment worn by astronauts on future lunar missions. The companies unveiled the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, or LCVG, on June 9. The garment is designed to be worn underneath Axiom’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, which NASA plans to use during Artemis missions to the Moon’s south pole.
Unlike the outer suit, the LCVG is responsible for managing body temperature and airflow while astronauts work in some of the harshest environments humans have ever encountered.
What’s happening around the world:US Strike on Tanker Carrying Indian Crew Sparks Diplomatic Clash Near Strait of Hormuz
Built for Extreme Lunar Conditions
When astronauts step onto the lunar surface, temperatures can swing dramatically between direct sunlight and permanently shadowed regions. NASA has identified parts of the Moon’s south pole where temperatures can plunge below -200°C (-328°F).
The new garment uses an integrated network of flexible tubes woven into specialized fibers. Chilled water circulates through those channels, pulling heat away from the astronaut’s body before transferring it to the spacesuit’s life-support system.
Axiom says the system is designed to support moonwalks lasting up to eight hours. “Every minute astronauts spend outside their vehicle, the LCVG is working to keep them safe“, said Russell Ralston, Axiom Space’s Senior Vice President of Spacecraft Development.
The garment also includes ventilation channels that help deliver oxygen while removing exhaled carbon dioxide and moisture from inside the suit.
Prada’s Role Goes Beyond Appearance
Prada joined the project in 2023, bringing expertise in textile engineering, manufacturing techniques and garment construction. Company engineers worked alongside aerospace specialists to develop the inner layer.
“The future of space exploration will not be built by any one entity alone, and our partnership with Prada is proof of that“, said Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, CEO and President of Axiom Space. He added that the collaboration combined aerospace engineering with luxury craftsmanship to create a garment neither company could have produced independently.
The unveiling marks the latest stage in a partnership that first drew attention in 2024 when Axiom and Prada presented the outer AxEMU suit.
Part of NASA’s Artemis Return to the Moon
NASA awarded Axiom a contract worth up to $228.5 million in 2022 to develop next-generation lunar spacesuits. The Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. Apollo astronauts also relied on liquid cooling garments, but the new system introduces a fully redundant backup cooling loop designed to take over if the primary system fails.
Not everyone is focused on engineering. Some industry observers have questioned whether Prada’s involvement risks turning a technical achievement into a marketing story. Others argue the company’s experience with advanced materials makes it a practical partner for wearable space systems.
Several details remain undisclosed, including the garment’s weight, cooling capacity and long-term reliability data. Those answers are expected to emerge as NASA and Axiom continue testing ahead of future Artemis missions.
For more updates follow: First Report News
