Axiom Space and Prada Unveil Technical Inner Layer for NASA’s Artemis III Spacesuit
The Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment utilises water circulation and a redundant cooling circuit to manage astronaut comfort in the lunar environment.
Axiom Space has revealed the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG), the critical inner layer of the new spacesuit developed for NASA’s Artemis III missions. The garment was designed in collaboration with Prada to maintain astronaut comfort on the lunar surface, addressing the extreme thermal conditions of the moon. This unveiling follows the earlier presentation of the suit’s outer shell, the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit.
The LCVG functions by circulating water through tubes positioned across the body’s major muscle groups to remove body heat, which is then expelled into space. In addition to thermal regulation, the garment manages life support through separate tubes that deliver fresh oxygen to the astronaut’s face and continuously clear exhaled carbon dioxide. Axiom Space described the LCVG as one of the few layers standing between astronauts and the unforgiving environment of space.
A key technical feature of the new design is the inclusion of a backup cooling circuit. This redundant system is intended to activate if the primary cooling loop fails, a safety measure not present in previous spacesuit iterations. The design leverages Prada’s expertise in advanced materials and pattern making to ensure the garment fits securely while performing its technical functions.
Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s chief marketing officer, stated that the fashion house brings specific capabilities in design and pattern making to the project. He noted that while the collaboration with a haute couture company may seem unusual, the company’s knowledge of garment construction is essential for the suit’s development. Bertelli added that the design team aimed to create a stylish suit without compromising functionality.
The development of these suits is part of NASA’s broader effort to return humans to the moon. Axiom Space and Prada were tasked with creating these high-tech garments to support the Artemis III missions. The integration of Prada’s design philosophy with Axiom’s engineering capabilities marks a significant step in the preparation for future lunar exploration.
