On June 7, 2026, Axiom Space and Prada unveiled the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) at a Prada store in New York. The LCVG is the inner base layer of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, which is being developed for NASA's Artemis lunar missions.
Design and Function
The LCVG is an undergarment designed to regulate astronaut body temperature and manage carbon dioxide during spacewalks. It circulates cold water through integrated tubes positioned across major muscle groups to remove body heat, which is then expelled into space. The garment includes a separate ventilation system that delivers oxygen to the helmet and directs exhaled carbon dioxide to a scrubber unit.
"The LCVG is more comfortable than the inner layer of suits currently used on the International Space Station." – Russell Ralston, Axiom’s senior vice president of spacecraft development
Key design features include:
- Cooling tubes embedded directly into the fabric for improved heat transfer.
- A backup cooling circuit in case the primary loop fails.
- Larger integrated channels for airflow.
- A v-neck, thumbhole sleeves, stirrup pants, and a red stripe.
- Materials selected to avoid electrical charging issues in the lunar plasma environment.
According to Russell Ralston, the LCVG is more comfortable than the inner layer of suits currently used on the International Space Station and is designed for easier production.
Technical Testing and Development
Axiom Space has conducted ground testing on the LCVG, including material compatibility and cooling system performance assessments. The displayed version is the third or fourth iteration of the garment.
Jonathan Cirtain, CEO of Axiom Space, stated that work on the AxEMU suit is on schedule. A qualification suit is expected to be delivered to NASA by the end of 2024, with a prototype suit for in-space testing planned for 2025. Regarding the in-space test, Cirtain said a final decision has not been made, but testing on the International Space Station (ISS) would be preferred over testing on the Artemis 3 lander. He expressed confidence the suit will be ready for the Artemis 4 lunar landing in 2028, stating:
"We are not the long pole in the tent." – Jonathan Cirtain, CEO of Axiom Space
The AxEMU suit is designed to handle the extreme temperatures at the lunar South Pole, where temperature differences between sunlight and shadow can exceed 400°F. The suit aims for improved fit through bespoke sizing and modular components, allowing individual parts to be swapped.
Collaboration
The LCVG is the result of a collaboration between Axiom Space and Prada. Lorenzo Bertelli, chief marketing officer of Prada Group, said Prada contributed expertise in soft goods, advanced materials, design, and pattern making, leveraging the company's vertical integration and scalability. Jonathan Cirtain noted that the partnership with Prada allowed Axiom to avoid building its own vertical integration and that the companies expect to produce customized suits for each astronaut.