Space exploration has always been a symbol of human ambition for the unknown and innovation. Today, technology pioneers such as Elon Musk and his companies, SpaceX and Starlink, but also NASA, in collaboration with Axiom Space and the fashion house Prada, are opening new paths for the future of humanity in Space. Their new ideas, involving both rocket reuse and the development of advanced spacesuits, are redefining the concept of space exploration.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has already managed to reduce the cost of spaceflight thanks to Falcon rockets, which are reusable. With the launch of Starship, the goal is to fully reuse both stages of the rocket, making spaceflight cheaper than ever. Starship can carry 150 tonnes of cargo into orbit, and SpaceX aims to reduce launch costs to $10 million, compared to the $70 million a Falcon 9 costs.
Fast internet
The use of these technologies is not only limited to the exploration of Mars, as Musk dreams, but is already affecting the Earth’s economy. Through the Starlink satellite network, SpaceX provides Internet access to the entire planet. As of 2019, SpaceX has launched more than 6,400 satellites, bringing high-speed Internet almost anywhere on Earth.
The company plans to increase the number of satellites to 42,000, with the aim of constantly renewing the fleet due to the short life of satellites in low orbit.
The ability to provide Internet via satellite is not new, but SpaceX’s innovation lies in the fact that the Starlink satellites are in low orbit, greatly reducing delays in data transmission. This allows Starlink to provide connectivity comparable to that of terrestrial networks, which previously seemed impossible. Cheap launch costs aren’t the only secret to Starlink’s success. Vertical integration also helps. SpaceX builds its own satellites and the high-tech antennas it sells to its customers. Mass production and avoiding paying for suppliers’ margins help keep costs down.
Air France, Qatar Airways and United Airlines plan to use Starlink antennas to provide free Wi-Fi to passengers, as do smaller airlines such as Air New Zealand.
The costumes of the Moon
Meanwhile, NASA’s collaboration with Axiom Space and Prada to create the new AxEMU spacesuit for the 2026 Artemis III mission brings technology and fashion to the fore. The new suits are designed to protect astronauts from the extreme temperatures of the Moon’s south pole, where temperatures range from -1730C to 1270C.
Prada, known for innovation and quality in its materials, contributes its expertise in the development of fabrics of high resistance and comfort.
The suit includes advanced life support, cooling, carbon dioxide purification systems, as well as built-in lights, an HD camera and a 4G/LTE communication system. Astronauts will be able to carry out spacewalks lasting at least eight hours, while the suit is designed to withstand the shadowy regions of the Moon for two hours.
They are not cheap. All development of the suits for the Artemis III mission is funded by a $228 million contract. This cost covers not only the suits but also the wider development and testing of the technology required for the safety and functionality of the suits in the space environment. The fashion war in the stars saw the famous company take on the first match from Collins Aerospace, which also works with NASA to make spacesuits.
Everyday life
The technological innovations of Prada and of course SpaceX and Axiom Space are not only changing the future of space exploration, but also our daily lives. Elon Musk, a visionary who aspires to colonize Mars, is already revolutionizing Earth’s economy through SpaceX and Starlink. Starlink, with revenues of $6.6 billion in 2024 and more than 4 million subscribers, offers fast Internet even in remote areas of the planet.
Morgan Stanley has made predictions for Starlink’s future, estimating that by 2040 the company could reach 32 million subscribers and generate about $100 billion in annual revenue.
In more optimistic scenarios, subscribers may reach 80 million, with revenues exceeding $250-300 billion. These predictions highlight Starlink’s rapid growth and SpaceX’s significant contribution to the Space economy.
In the future, Starship and Starlink will continue to dominate the space industry, while spacesuits from Axiom and Prada will contribute to the safety and comfort of astronauts on missions to the Moon. The combination of technology, fashion and space exploration shows that humanity’s next great challenge now lies in space, where private companies like SpaceX are defining the future.
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