The Prada NASA spacesuit collaboration is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s about what astronauts will wear closest to their skin. Following the earlier reveal of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, Axiom Space has now unveiled the high-tech base layer — essentially a sophisticated pair of long johns — that crew members will wear beneath the suit when Artemis IV returns humans to the Moon in 2028.

Introducing the LCVG

The newly revealed garment is called the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, or LCVG. While it may sit out of sight beneath the bulkier AxEMU, it plays an absolutely critical role in keeping astronauts safe and comfortable during their time on the lunar surface.

The LCVG serves as the all-important inner layer designed to regulate body temperature and maintain comfort both inside the AxEMU and during spacewalks.

How the Cooling System Works

At the heart of the LCVG is a clever thermal management system. Cold water is circulated through a network of tubes embedded throughout the garment, drawing heat away from the astronaut’s body to prevent overheating during physically demanding activities.

Crucially, the design includes an important safety upgrade over older cooling suits: a backup system. Should the primary cooling mechanism fail, this redundancy ensures astronauts remain protected — a meaningful improvement for the dangerous environment of space.

More Than Just Cooling

The LCVG isn’t only about temperature regulation. It also houses the suit’s ventilation system, which handles two essential functions:

• Supplying fresh oxygen to the AxEMU helmet
• Directing exhaled CO2 toward a scrubber so it can be recirculated

This integration of cooling and breathing support into a single garment underscores just how much engineering goes into even the innermost layer of a modern spacesuit.

A History of Fashion Meets Space Tech

While pairing a luxury fashion house like Prada with NASA might seem unexpected, it’s far from the first time the space agency has blended cutting-edge materials and manufacturing with high-fashion design sensibilities.

A notable earlier example is the BioSuit concept, which NASA funded. That project was created by MIT professor Dava Newman, with help from renowned architect Guillermo Trotti, demonstrating a longstanding interest in marrying aesthetic design with the rigorous technical demands of spaceflight.

Final Thoughts

The unveiling of the LCVG marks another step forward in preparing for humanity’s return to the Moon. By combining Prada’s design expertise with Axiom Space’s engineering, the partnership highlights how the next generation of spacesuits is being built not just for survival, but for comfort, safety, and reliability. As Artemis IV approaches in 2028, these high-tech “long johns” may be hidden from view — but they’ll be working hard to keep astronauts cool, breathing, and protected as they explore the lunar surface once again.