For decades, NASA’s spacesuits have lagged behind the stylish and technologically cool spacesuits of movies and fiction. Astronauts’ first suits looked like they were made of tin foil. The Space Shuttle era saw a massive redesign that added a large amount of bulk to the suit.

Needless to say, they weren’t stylish. But if I can channel my own Robin Givhan, NASA bringing aboard fashion house Prada to design new suits for our latest Moonshot is a step in the right trajectory.

Space: Coming to Fashion Week

NASA is bringing in the Italian fashion house, Prada, to work with Axiom Space, a manufacturer of spacesuits. NASA, Prada, and Axiom are targetting the 2025 Artemis missions for their new look.

NASA isn’t Prada’s first durable wear fashion project. Prada was instrumental in designing the gear for the America’s Cup sailing competition. Scientists and experts in the know are asking fashionistas to calm down. Paisleys may be out of the question. Spacesuits need to maintain constant pressure, provide environmental protection, and have maneuverability. Astronauts need these features for EVAs and making repairs when good times go bad.

Ambitious Plans

Bring on Prada black. Axiom unveiled a new spacesuit destined for the Artemis 3 mission. The suit is black, modern, and provides a lot more style than previous NASA suits. These suits are still bulkier than the Hollywood svelte suits Matt Damon wore in the Martian, but are a lot easier to look at. NASA’s push for new suits isn’t coincidental. The space agency is planning to house astronauts and civilian Americans on the Moon by 2040. And you know, contractors always dress nicer than government employees. So we got to look good.

It’s been a great week for space news. Scientists brought back organic compounds and water from an asteroid, and NASA is announcing plans to sashay spacesuits down the catwalk.

There’s a lot to be hopeful for.

-MJ