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MILAN, ITALY-OCT. 16: Italian luxury brand Prada and Houston-based space technology firm Axiom Space on Wednesday, Oct. 16, unveiled the design of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit that will be worn by astronauts during NASA's Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2026. The AxEMU, presented at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, was developed through a collaboration between the two companies, blending advanced engineering with aesthetic innovation to meet the challenges of the lunar south pole's harsh environment. According to the joint statement, the suit is designed to endure extreme temperatures and function in the moon’s permanently shaded regions for up to two hours. The outer layer of the suit, specifically designed for lunar conditions, will reflect heat and protect astronauts from lunar dust, replacing the dark cover used during initial tests to conceal proprietary technology. The suit is equipped with specialized tools to improve flexibility, safety, and performance during spacewalks, which will last up to eight hours. The AxEMU is built to accommodate a diverse range of crew members, supporting individuals from the 1st to the 99th percentile of anthropomorphic sizing. Extensive testing has been conducted at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and Johnson Space Center, as well as Axiom Space and SpaceX facilities, to simulate lunar conditions. The spacesuit will undergo further tests in preparation for NASA’s upcoming lunar mission, with the critical design review expected in 2025. (Footage by Michele Luigi Edoardo Novaga /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)