© NASA
For the next expedition to the Moon, the astronauts will be more chic than ever. Prada and Axiom Space announced their incongruous partnership in an official press release. After conquering fashion shows for decades, the Italian fashion house is taking our natural satellite by storm.
Prada will work hand in hand with Axiom Space, a privileged partner of NASA which is responsible for designing the American space agency's new suits. The company was founded in 2016 by former NASA spaceflight chief Michael Suffredini. These brand new outfits will be used to dress the astronauts of the Artemis III mission planned for 2025.
If the idea of a collaboration with Prada may make you smile at first glance, the choice to establish a partnership with the Italian luxury group makes rather sense in the eyes of Axiom Space.
Astronauts wear Prada
Both brands are extremely proud of their collaboration. Over the years, Prada has demonstrated technical expertise with raw materials, manufacturing techniques and innovative design concepts. This “will provide cutting-edge technologies ensuring not only the comfort of astronauts on the lunar surface but also the essential human factors considerations, absent from existing spacesuits”.
For Prada as for Axiom Space, this is a big challenge to take on. Astronauts must be able to move with ease while being assured of being safe in their suit. These suits will need to offer increased flexibility, better protection to withstand hostile environments and specialized tools to facilitate exploration and scientific opportunities. Quite a program! So there is work to be done.
But the Moon doesn't scare Prada. The Italian fashion house has already distinguished itself in an area in which we never imagined it. More than just a sponsor, Prada participated in the design of the sails of the AC75 boat (monocoque) during the America's Cup, an international nautical sailing competition. After the seas, the company is setting out to conquer the Moon. “It’s a true celebration of the power of human creativity and innovation to develop civilization”, confides Lorenzo Bertelli, the group’s marketing director.
Of course, the combinations spatial images will remain very sober and will not benefit from any fantasy in terms of their visuals. The protection provided by these space suits is what really matters.
- Prada and Axiom Space have announced their unprecedented collaboration
- Together, the two companies will design the new spacesuits for the astronauts of the Artemis III mission scheduled for 2025
- A hell of a challenge for Prada and Axiom Space!
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