The world of space exploration takes a leap forward with the unveiling of the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit) spacesuit, designed for NASA’s lunar missions. Presented during a press conference at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) on October 16, this suit was developed by Axiom Space in collaboration with famous fashion designer Prada.
A design specially designed for the lunar south pole
The AxEMU suit is planned for use during the Artemis 3 mission, whose launch is scheduled for the end of 2026. Unlike the Apollo missions, which landed near the lunar equator, this new suit is specially designed for the south pole of the Moon. However, this site presents climatic conditions colder and more extremewith temperatures dropping to -173°C during the lunar night, while during the day they can reach temperatures of 127°C. These thermal variations can create considerable challenges for astronauts, necessitating an innovative design approach.
The AxEMU suit obviously integrates several systems to ensure the safety and comfort of astronauts in such an environment. Among its features is a 4G/LTE communication system which will allow astronauts to stay in touch with their teams or even a system of biometric surveillance responsible for monitoring the health of astronauts during missions. An intuitive control interface will also make the suit easier to use, while an HD camera and integrated lights will capture images and improve visibility in the lunar environment.
A combination resulting from a unique collaboration
This collaboration leverages the technical expertise of Prada in terms of materials, manufacturing techniques and sewing. This helps ensure not only the comfort of astronauts on the lunar surface, but also takes into account essential human factors such as ease of movement, breathability and overall suit comfort that are often lacking in spacesuits. existing. According to Lorenzo Bertelli, marketing director of Prada, this alliance illustrates how innovation can arise from the fusion of various disciplines.
Note that this AxEMU suit will not only be limited to lunar missions. Axiom Space also plans to use it for activities in the international space station and for commercial missions with private astronauts. The suit architecture is designed to be scalable and adaptable, which will help meet the diverse needs of future missions.
