NASA and Prada unveil high-tech spacesuit long johns for Moon
▼ Summary
– Axiom Space and Prada collaborated on the AxEMU spacesuit, and have now revealed the LCVG base layer for the Artemis IV Moon mission in 2028.
– The LCVG circulates cold water through embedded tubes to cool astronauts, with a backup system in case the primary fails.
– The garment includes a ventilation system that supplies oxygen to the helmet and directs exhaled CO2 to a scrubber.
– This is not the first NASA project blending high-tech materials with high-fashion design, as it previously funded the BioSuit concept by MIT and architect Guillermo Trotti.
Axiom Space and Prada have pulled back the curtain on the next critical piece of lunar gear: the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) worn beneath the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit. This high-tech base layer will be essential for keeping astronauts comfortable and safe when Artemis IV returns humans to the Moon in 2028.
The LCVG functions as an active thermal regulation system. Cold water circulates through a network of tubes woven into the garment, drawing heat away from the body during strenuous spacewalks. A key upgrade over older cooling suits is the inclusion of a redundant backup system, ensuring astronauts remain cool even if the primary loop fails. Beyond temperature control, the LCVG also houses the ventilation infrastructure that delivers fresh oxygen into the AxEMU helmet and channels exhaled carbon dioxide to a scrubber for reuse.
This partnership between Axiom Space and Prada continues a tradition of blending advanced materials with high-fashion design for NASA. The agency previously supported the BioSuit concept, a sleek, form-fitting alternative developed by MIT professor Dava Newman with input from architect Guillermo Trotti. The LCVG represents a practical, life-supporting evolution of that same cross-industry innovation.
(Source: The Verge)
