The government of Turkey signed an agreement with Axiom Space to send the first Turkish astronaut, who will be selected and announced later, on a future spaceflight:
We signed a historical agreement on the first manned space mission to be carried out in the 100th anniversary of our Republic.We will cooperate with @Axiom_Space for the training and flight service of the Turkish space traveler whose selection process is ongoing.With #MilliUzayProgramı , dreams turn into pride. 🇹🇷🚀
September 19, 2022Axiom Space Signs Historic Agreement with Türkiye to Send First Turkish Astronaut to SpaceRelease, News(PARIS) - Commercial space leader Axiom Space and the government of Türkiye have signed a historic agreement to send the first Turkish astronaut to space. As part of a larger effort by Türkiye to expand its space exploration capabilities and establish a national human space program, a Turkish astronaut will be trained by Axiom Space for a future space research mission. Axiom Space will also enable Turkish science and research to be conducted in microgravity. Axiom Space, a U.S. based commercial space company, currently building the world’s first commercial space station, is working with the TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBİTAK UZAY) , under the direction of the Turkish Space Agency, Türkiye Uzay Ajansı (TUA) to enable this effort. The spaceflight agreement was officially signed at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris, on 19 September 2022, with Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Fatih Kacır, TUA President and Chairman of the Board Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım, TÜBITAK UZAY Director Dr. Mesut Gökten, and other dignitaries. “As the 100-year anniversary of Türkiye approaches, we will celebrate this important milestone by working to send the first Turkish astronaut to space,” said Dr. Mesut Gökten. “This mission is a part of Türkiye’s ambitious 10-year space road map, which includes missions to the low-Earth orbit and the Moon as well as developing internationally viable satellite systems.” said Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım. The astronaut selection process is being managed by TÜBITAK UZAY with support of Axiom Space, under the direction of the Turkish Space Agency on behalf of the Turkish government. Türkiye is evaluating scientific experiments via an open solicitation for on-orbit research. Further discussion between Türkiye and Axiom Space is underway to finalize the timeline for the mission. "Exploration is part of the human DNA and with this agreement between Axiom Space and the nation of Türkiye, we will train and fly the first Turkish astronaut and strengthen our commitment to use commercial space as a driver to expand the international community of space explorers,” said Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space’s President & CEO. “We are excited about Türkiye’s role as a partner in commercial space and look further to deepening this relationship as we work together to expand scientific and technological development on Earth and in orbit.” Axiom Space is the commercial space industry’s only full-service orbital mission provider, conducting end-to-end crewed missions. Axiom’s broad range of services include training and flying private astronauts, access to training facilitates and instructors, hardware and safety certification, and operational on-orbit management. Candidates for flight complete Axiom’s rigorous training curriculum over many months in preparation to live and conduct meaningful work in space. The expert team at Axiom Space is helping nations and organizations build human spaceflight programs, develop astronaut selection programs, and provide the expertise needed to expand the international community of space explorers to a larger and more diverse representation of humanity. This partnership is the latest agreement between Axiom Space and a sovereign nation that will expand international human spaceflight capabilities. Previous signatories include Italy, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
September 20, 20227:28 PM GMT+1Last Updated 16 min agoAerospace & DefenseEXCLUSIVE Saudi Arabia buys pair of SpaceX astronaut seats from Axiom -sourcesBy Joey RoulettePARIS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is planning to launch two astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a space capsule from Elon Musk's SpaceX, becoming the latest Gulf nation to strengthen ties with private U.S. space companies, according to three people familiar with the arrangement.
Axiom Space Signs MOU with Canadian Government to Advance the Space EconomyCommercial space leader Axiom Space and the Canadian government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build on the country’s legacy in human spaceflight and explore opportunities for sustained access to space. This agreement fosters collaboration between Axiom and Canada for the co-development of future space infrastructure and provides opportunities for Canadian astronauts to fly on future Axiom-sponsored missions to space. The agreement between Axiom and Canada was signed on September 21, 2022, at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris. The MOU aims to support the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) by providing access to conduct groundbreaking research on the International Space Station (ISS) through Axiom-sponsored missions and, in the future, on Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The MOU also leverages the existing and robust Canadian space ecosystem to mutually develop opportunities for Canadian companies across numerous sectors and industries to work and conduct research in low-Earth orbit (LEO). “From building the first robotic arm for the Space Shuttle program to initiating international cooperation in the Lunar Gateway project, Canada has played a vital role in our nation’s space exploration efforts, and we are proud strengthen our country’s relationship with Canada in this new era of space commercialization,” said Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space’s President & CEO. “We look forward to leveraging Canada’s experience and innovative initiatives as we partner to establish a thriving economy in orbit.” The Commercial LEO Working Group in Canada will develop prioritized business cases to promote Canadian technology research and experimentation in space across different fields, such as advanced robotics, AI, and health and life sciences. This collaboration will build on long-term goals for Canada’s human spaceflight program, research, and development of space commercialization. In addition to signing an MOU with the Canadian government, Axiom has signed agreements with UC-San Diego, Aotearoa New Zealand, the Italian government, Hungary, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. These historic agreements symbolize the company’s commitment to provide opportunities to nations across the globe who share an appreciation for the benefits provided by microgravity while strengthening bonds between nations and the world at-large
September 22, 2022Axiom Space Partners with Saudi Space Commission to Send First Female Saudi Astronaut to SpaceNews, ReleaseAxiom Space, a U.S.-based space company currently building the world's first commercial space station, is working with the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) for a future flight opportunity no earlier than 2023. The partnership will bolster SSC’s exploration program through the addition of a robust human spaceflight effort. Axiom Space will collaborate with SSC to train Saudi astronauts for human spaceflight and prepare them to conduct meaningful scientific research in space, while making use of cutting-edge space technologies and scientific innovations. Axiom Space and SSC announced today their epoch-making partnership to fly two Saudi astronauts to space, including the first female Saudi astronaut. Saudi Arabia is celebrating its first national astronaut program dedicated to sending Saudi astronauts into space as a contribution to humanity’s progress, and in line with the progressive goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. In an official press release outlining the new Saudi Astronaut Program, the Kingdom highlighted the scientific focus of the initiative, which will prioritize scientific experiments and research in areas such as health, sustainability, and space technology. The Saudi Astronaut program is part of the Kingdom's larger National Space Strategy. "Space belongs to all of humanity, which is one of the reasons Axiom Space is pleased to welcome our new partnership with the Saudi Space Commission to train and fly Saudi astronauts, including the first female Saudi astronaut" said Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space's President & CEO while attending the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris. "This partnership highlights Axiom Space's profound commitment to expand human spaceflight opportunities to a larger share of the international community, as well as to multiply scientific and technological development on Earth and in orbit". Axiom Space is the commercial space industry's only full-service orbital mission provider, conducting end-to-end crewed missions. Axiom's broad range of services includes training and flying private astronauts, access to training facilities and instructors, hardware and safety certification, and operational on-orbit management. Candidates for flight complete Axiom's rigorous training curriculum over many months in preparation to live and conduct meaningful work in space. The expert team at Axiom Space is helping nations and organizations build human spaceflight programs, develop astronaut selection programs, and provide the expertise needed to expand the international community of space explorers to a larger and more diverse representation of humanity.
Hungary decided to fly its astronaut with the US-based Axiom space, instead of previous plans to utilize Russian #Soyuz. The mission is expected in 2025-2026, according to TASS, quoting Hungarian foreign minister.
I am curious about cargo requirements for commercial passengers. Is the concept of operations that each passenger spacecraft will bring all required supplies, or are cargo missions envisioned, as well?
Axiom Space’s Mary Lynne Dittmar says at a Beyond Earth symposium this morning that the first Axiom module launch is now scheduled for late 2025. (It had been late 2024.) Will be followed in 6-8 months by a second module, a clone of the first.
At Beyond Earth Institute conference, Axiom's Mary Lynne Dittmar says they've rebaselined schedule for Axiom Station. 1st module now will be launched in late 2025 (was late 2024).Also, Ax-2 is skld for May 2023.
The Axiom Space team is working with the @TurkSpaceAgency and @Tubitak to develop the country’s human spaceflight program and select its very first astronaut. Expanding the community of space explorers and opening access to LEO science & economy is at the heart of Axiom Space.
