NASA and Prada reveal Artemis III suit designed to protect astronauts in deep space
AxEMU spacesuit will gain unique capabilities for survival in space (photo: Axiom Space)
NASA is preparing to return astronauts to the Moon with fundamentally new equipment. Designers from Axiom Space involved fashion industry specialists in creating the AxEMU spacesuits. The new gear not only resembles superhero costumes but also includes advanced thermal-regulation systems and protection against the destructive effects of the vacuum of space, according to Engadget.
Inner suit: air-conditioned underwear
Survival in open space without proper protection is fatal: unconsciousness occurs within 15 seconds, and death is recorded within a few minutes.
The first layer of protection in the new suit is a liquid cooling and ventilation garment (LCVG). Previously, this element resembled a bulky pajama set, but Prada specialists transformed it into an ergonomic suit with advanced technical weaving.
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New cooling system will protect astronauts on the Moon (screenshot: Axiom Space)
The main danger for an astronaut during heavy physical work on the Moon’s surface is heatstroke and organ failure. In a vacuum, the body’s heat cannot be naturally dissipated anywhere.
To prevent overheating, engineers integrated a network of flexible tubes into the fabric. Cold water continuously circulates through them, removing metabolic heat from major muscle groups and transferring it to a large backpack system that supports life functions.
For safety, the internal circuit is duplicated by a backup cooling system in case the main pump fails.
External armor of AxEMU: protection against fluid boiling
The outer white shell of the AxEMU spacesuit provides mechanical protection and maintains essential life-support pressure.
In open space, under extremely low-pressure conditions, the air in the lungs expands instantly, destroying lung tissue. At the same time, the boiling point of liquids drops sharply, causing moisture in muscles to turn into vapor, leading to severe tissue swelling, while gas bubbles in the blood stop circulation within a minute.
The updated AxEMU design solves these challenges through several engineering solutions:
Pressurized sealing: a stable artificial pressure is maintained inside, safe for human survival.
Light reflection and dust protection: the outer layer effectively reflects solar radiation and protects joints from microscopic lunar dust, which can damage lungs if it enters the spacecraft.
Helmet oxygen flow: the ventilation system continuously supplies fresh oxygen directly to the astronaut’s face, preventing suffocation from carbon dioxide buildup. The gas is then removed by purification filters in the backpack.
Engineers have solved the pressure issue in spacesuits (screenshot: Axiom Space)
Unlike the individual spacesuits of the Apollo program era, which were tailored specifically to the measurements of a single astronaut, the AxEMU model is designed as an adjustable platform. The suit fits 99% of male and female body types.
The helmet features an improved visor protective coating for better visibility in the unique lighting conditions of the Moon, while the gloves are equipped with new movable joints. The system’s autonomy is designed for continuous operation in open space for more than eight hours.
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New Prada-designed spacesuit prepares for testing (screenshot: Axiom Space)
Preparing for a lunar landing
The first tests of the spacesuit in low Earth orbit conditions are scheduled as part of the Artemis III mission. This will serve as the final check before the main event — Artemis IV, which is expected to become the first human landing on the Moon’s surface since 1972.
Astronauts will spend about a week in the area of the Moon’s south pole, where extreme cold conditions prevail.
Developers note that the AxEMU insulation layers are capable of withstanding the extremely low temperatures of shadowed craters for at least two hours of autonomous operation.
