Axiom Space and Prada Unveil Next-Generation Lunar Spacesuit in Monaco
The AxEMU spacesuit, designed for NASA's Artemis III mission, features advancements in comfort, safety, and mobility.
In Monaco, a new exhibit at the Venturi headquarters showcases an innovative lunar spacesuit developed by Axiom Space, in collaboration with the Italian luxury fashion house Prada.
This spacesuit, designated AxEMU, will equip astronauts participating in NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.
The AxEMU has been designed with a special white material intended to reflect heat, thereby protecting astronauts from the extreme temperatures and lunar dust they will encounter on the Moon's surface.
The suit features striking red accents, a hallmark of Prada's design, which aims not only to enhance aesthetics but also to improve comfort for the astronauts.
This spacesuit represents a modernization of lunar gear, approximately 50 years after the Apollo program's last mission, which saw astronauts Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan walk on the Moon.
Franck Baldet, the technical director at Venturi Space, explained that the original Apollo and International Space Station suits, while functional, had certain limitations.
The AxEMU’s design allows for easier wearing and removal, featuring a single-piece construction that opens from the back, requiring less preparation than prior suits, which were donned from the top or bottom.
The AxEMU weighs 55kg, significantly lighter than the 80kg Apollo suits, and offers enhanced joint flexibility at the shoulders and hips, promoting greater mobility.
The multiple layers of the AxEMU suit ensure airtightness, impact protection, and optimal thermal insulation.
According to Baldet, the suit functions much like a mini-spacecraft.
The rear 'backpack' includes essential life support systems such as oxygen supply, carbon dioxide scrubbing mechanisms to prevent toxic exposure, and a climate control system that regulates temperature based on whether the astronaut is in sunlight or shade.
All functions are manageable through controls located on the front of the suit.
Additional features of the AxEMU include high-definition cameras, lights, radios, and the capability to carry scientific instruments for lunar exploration.
The suit has already undergone extensive testing, including trials in NASA’s facilities in Houston and compatibility assessments with Artemis mission lunar vehicle prototypes, including Venturi Astrolab's FLEX rover, which is among NASA's selections for lunar operations.
Venturi Space, based in Monaco, has collaborated on the development of electric batteries for lunar missions.
NASA's final decision regarding this collaboration, initially anticipated in May, has been postponed until late 2025.
In the interim, the AxEMU will be publicly displayed at the Paris Air Show, Le Bourget, in mid-June, following its loan to Venturi Space by Axiom Space.
On June 16, the Monaco-based company led by businessman Gildo Pastor is set to announce further developments in the space sector.
This spacesuit, designated AxEMU, will equip astronauts participating in NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.
The AxEMU has been designed with a special white material intended to reflect heat, thereby protecting astronauts from the extreme temperatures and lunar dust they will encounter on the Moon's surface.
The suit features striking red accents, a hallmark of Prada's design, which aims not only to enhance aesthetics but also to improve comfort for the astronauts.
This spacesuit represents a modernization of lunar gear, approximately 50 years after the Apollo program's last mission, which saw astronauts Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan walk on the Moon.
Franck Baldet, the technical director at Venturi Space, explained that the original Apollo and International Space Station suits, while functional, had certain limitations.
The AxEMU’s design allows for easier wearing and removal, featuring a single-piece construction that opens from the back, requiring less preparation than prior suits, which were donned from the top or bottom.
The AxEMU weighs 55kg, significantly lighter than the 80kg Apollo suits, and offers enhanced joint flexibility at the shoulders and hips, promoting greater mobility.
The multiple layers of the AxEMU suit ensure airtightness, impact protection, and optimal thermal insulation.
According to Baldet, the suit functions much like a mini-spacecraft.
The rear 'backpack' includes essential life support systems such as oxygen supply, carbon dioxide scrubbing mechanisms to prevent toxic exposure, and a climate control system that regulates temperature based on whether the astronaut is in sunlight or shade.
All functions are manageable through controls located on the front of the suit.
Additional features of the AxEMU include high-definition cameras, lights, radios, and the capability to carry scientific instruments for lunar exploration.
The suit has already undergone extensive testing, including trials in NASA’s facilities in Houston and compatibility assessments with Artemis mission lunar vehicle prototypes, including Venturi Astrolab's FLEX rover, which is among NASA's selections for lunar operations.
Venturi Space, based in Monaco, has collaborated on the development of electric batteries for lunar missions.
NASA's final decision regarding this collaboration, initially anticipated in May, has been postponed until late 2025.
In the interim, the AxEMU will be publicly displayed at the Paris Air Show, Le Bourget, in mid-June, following its loan to Venturi Space by Axiom Space.
On June 16, the Monaco-based company led by businessman Gildo Pastor is set to announce further developments in the space sector.
