Science

Science

The astronaut wears Prada

The famed Italian fashion house and Axiom Space reach next frontier

Space is an unforgiving environment. It is cold and inhospitable and has no understanding of fashion designers and their processes. There is no “air kissing” in the vacuum of space. Yet, in October 2024, at the International Astronautical Congress, Axiom Space and Prada revealed the flight design of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit that the first woman on the moon could wear as part of NASA’s Artemis III mission.

The new design has the usual components, with the helmet, visor and Portable Life Support System backpack marked with the characteristic Prada Linea Rossa red line throughout. Apart from that, the exterior looks the same as any spacesuit has for the past six decades. The improvements are in the details.

Space is arguably the final frontier for the fashion industry. It is exactly the kind of environment that will test design, materials and manufacturing to the absolute limit. By entering into partnership with Axiom Space, Prada is boldly going where no fashion house has gone before. At the same time, the knowledge gained in these extreme conditions will filter down to benefit…

Science

Men and their bodies, a complicated relationship

Bigorexia, the reverse form of anorexia plaguing male teenagers

Bigorexia in teenagers is growing at an alarming pace. This form of reverse anorexia is described as the obsession with achieving a bulky and heavily muscled body, often resulting in unhealthy changes in diet, obsessively going to the gym, social isolation and in some cases, taking dangerous steroids which can lead to severe health problems. […]

Science

Catching the Aurora Borealis in 2024

In pursuit of the Northern Lights

Since the beginning of human history, the elusive Northern Lights have inspired artists and puzzled scientists in equal measure. As we reach the peak of a solar cycle in 2024, chances of witnessing the spellbinding spectacle of the Aurora Borealis dramatically increase. In this article, our Editor-in-Chief, Julia Pasarón, explains why. Our sun is just […]

Lifestyle, Science

Forte-fying

A New Age of Skincare

I-M Magazine’s Shelley Campbell was recently invited to Sicily to learn more about the Irene Forte Skincare range. First stop was the Rocco Forte Verdura Resort, which comprises 230 hectares of sun-kissed Mediterranean coastline, countryside, golf and spa, and this is where I first met the delightfully engaging and passionate Irene Forte. An Oxford graduate, […]

Science

There Is No Gain In Pain

One woman’s quest for the good of many

With the UK’s CBD market doubling in two years and projected to be worth almost 800 million by 2025, it is an exciting time for the hemp industry. But CBD is still woefully misunderstood and badly regulated, stunting the economic, environmental and health benefits that the industry could reap. Cue activist and entrepreneur Jade Proudman […]

Science, Travel

Ground Control To Traveller Tom

Space travel breaks the champagne barrier

Last year we finally sent “tourists” to space. First, it was Sir Richard Branson with Virgin Galactic, who managed to get to the boundary of space (80km up) and then Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin went even further, to the Kármán line (above 100 kilometres), where astronauts get their wings. We are seeing the first steps […]

Lifestyle, Science

Food For Thought

Balancing Changing Hormones

From growth and development to sleep patterns, metabolism, mood, and even reproduction, hormones play a key role in how your body looks, feels and functions throughout your lifetime. In fact, while you may already know that hormones fluctuate throughout the day and month for both men and women, many people are surprised to learn that […]

Lifestyle, Science

Freezing Fabulous!

The cryotherapy revolution

Cryotherapy is the use of low temperatures in medical therapy. It is applied to treat a variety of conditions, most commonly to relieve muscle pain, sprains and swelling after soft tissue damage or surgery. For decades, it has been employed to accelerate recovery in athletes post exercise but in the last few years, it is […]

Science

Floating In A Tin Can

Astronaut Dr Edward Gibson reflects on the future of space exploration.

Edward Gibson was the last man out of Skylab. After 84 days orbiting planet Earth, floating inside the space station (at the time a record duration flight) he closed the hatch, entered the capsule with his crew mates and headed back home. There was no ceremony, no parting goodbye ritual; as far as Gibson and […]

Lifestyle, Science

Olympic timing: from 1964 to 2021

How technology has changed from one Tokyo Games to the next.

When American Bob Hayes crossed the finish line at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, winning gold in the Men’s 100 metres, there were two times measured. One manually by the stewards, one via a fully automatic timing device. Although it was not evident as Hayes celebrated his triumph, in that moment Olympic timing changed forever. […]

Science

New Blood

The European Space Agency (ESA) looks for new recruits

For the first time in 11 years, ESA is looking for a new astronaut squad. These recruits will work alongside their existing astronauts as Europe enters a new era of space exploration. Established in 1975, the European Space Agency now has 22 Member States and cooperates with many others. Their mission is the peaceful exploration […]

Science

Ella Podmore

Breaking moulds... and other things

At the tender age of 24, glamorous Ella is literally breaking moulds in the automotive sector as one of the youngest female materials engineers working in the industry, specialised in corrosion science and metallographic fracture analysis. As a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) industries ambassador, Ella goes around schools inspiring kids to go down […]