The system regulates temperature, helps with breathing while people work at the limits of their capabilities.
High fashion is reaching new heights in space. Prada has introduced undergarments that will be worn under the spacesuits by astronauts of the Artemis program. The futuristic jumpsuit, called LCVG (liquid cooling and ventilation garment), is embedded with tubes that circulate cold water, preventing the body from overheating while astronauts walk on the Moon.
The presentation of the new product took place at the Prada flagship store in New York City. The Italian fashion house has been collaborating with Axiom Space for several years — a private company that NASA has delegated the development of new spacesuits for Artemis participants.
The AxEMU spacesuit, also developed in partnership with Prada, is the first significant update to NASA's astronaut gear in over 20 years. The agency is currently using a design similar to that from the Apollo era.
"When we introduced AxEMU, we announced that the collaboration between Prada and Axiom Space would not end there," reminded Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada's Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sustainability.
In addition to the fluid circulation tubes, the new undergarments feature a ventilation system that supplies astronauts with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the suit.
"Every minute that astronauts spend outside the spacecraft, the LCVG works to ensure their safety. The system regulates their temperature, helps them breathe — all while they are working at the limits of their capabilities," explained Russell Ralston, Senior Vice President of Axiom Space for spacecraft development.
According to Axiom CEO Jonathan Surtain, the new undergarments could be tested on the International Space Station, as well as during the upcoming Artemis III mission.
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