Author Topic: Axiom Space LLC (Read 207043 times)

whitelancer64 · « **Reply #340 on:** 08/03/2022 05:02 pm »

Quote from: lrk on 08/03/2022 04:51 pm

So if that is the reason then, why is the requirement that they be a former NASA astronaut specifically? Couldn't a former ESA astronaut (for instance) fill the same role?

Presumably because this is an agreement between NASA and Axiom, and the ESA is not involved. NASA also has a much larger astronaut corps than the ESA, so there's significantly more availability.

We'd have to have the text of the agreement between NASA and Axiom where these things are specified to know for sure.

Per "Requirements Updates for Private Astronaut Missions" available here:

https://sam.gov/opp/23b1521f8c154f1caa2f3b2b0e551f28/view

"NASA is also in the process of finalizing details associated with a new requirement that upcoming private astronaut missions include a former flown NASA (U.S.) government astronaut as the mission commander. A former NASA astronaut provides experienced guidance for the private astronauts during pre-flight preparation through mission execution. Based on their past on-orbit and NASA experience, the PAM commander provides a link between the resident ISS expedition crew and the private astronauts and reduces risk to ISS operations and PAM/ISS safety. Specific details of the requirement will be documented in future solicitations, as well as in updated documentation and in the solicitation technical library."

The details of the actual requirements are not yet available.

JayWee · « **Reply #341 on:** 08/03/2022 06:29 pm »

Also, in the post-landing pressconf the Axiom crew pretty much said they were very glad they got the extra week to finish all what they wanted to do, as their original schedule was overly optimistic.

So I expect future Axiom missions to be longer by default.

vp. · « **Reply #342 on:** 08/03/2022 07:04 pm »

This decision is surprising.
The Dragon's next flight (Crew-5) will have no experienced NASA astronauts.

TrevorMonty · « **Reply #343 on:** 08/03/2022 08:04 pm »

Well Axiom be able to change rules when first of their modules is attached to ISS?

whitelancer64 · « **Reply #344 on:** 08/03/2022 08:21 pm »

Quote from: JayWee on 08/03/2022 06:29 pm

Also, in the post-landing pressconf the Axiom crew pretty much said they were very glad they got the extra week to finish all what they wanted to do, as their original schedule was overly optimistic.

So I expect future Axiom missions to be longer by default.

If they can get more time, that would be great, but ISS time is expensive. I think it's more likely they would schedule fewer activities.

whitelancer64 · « **Reply #345 on:** 08/03/2022 08:23 pm »

Quote from: vp. on 08/03/2022 07:04 pm

This decision is surprising.
The Dragon's next flight (Crew-5) will have no experienced NASA astronauts.

They want an astronaut with experience in order to help the Axiom crew to use their limited time on-station more efficiently.

A NASA crew has months to get used to working on the ISS, Axiom crews only have a couple of weeks.

Zed_Noir · « **Reply #346 on:** 08/03/2022 08:40 pm »

Quote from: vp. on 08/03/2022 07:04 pm

This decision is surprising.
The Dragon's next flight (Crew-5) will have no experienced NASA astronauts.

It is alluded by @RobotBeat elsewhere that the decision was partly due to pressure from the Astronaut Office.

Robotbeat · « **Reply #347 on:** 08/03/2022 09:24 pm »

Quote from: Zed_Noir on 08/03/2022 08:40 pm

Quote from: vp. on 08/03/2022 07:04 pm
This decision is surprising.
The Dragon's next flight (Crew-5) will have no experienced NASA astronauts.
It is alluded by @RobotBeat elsewhere that the decision was partly due to pressure from the Astronaut Office.

I have zero inside information. I’m just spitballing.

AmigaClone · « **Reply #348 on:** 08/03/2022 09:45 pm »

Quote from: vp. on 08/03/2022 07:04 pm

This decision is surprising.
The Dragon's next flight (Crew-5) will have no experienced NASA astronauts.

JAXA and ESA astronauts receive training alongside NASA astronauts, so NASA might be bending the rules in this case, since Koichi Wakata has spent 347 days in space, most of those on the ISS.

edzieba · « **Reply #349 on:** 08/04/2022 02:15 pm »

There has been mention in the past of delays in ESA astronauts starting training at NASA for ISS mission due to being denied permission until those astronauts have been assigned to a particular mission. That would effectively block out "private NASA trained commercial astronauts" from existing: unless you scheduled your mission many years in advance in order to allow your crew to start and progress through the NASA astronaut training pipeline, the only feasible way to have a NASA trained astronaut on your crew is to hire one.
There have been a small handful of ESA ISS commanders though, and it would be unreasonable to acknowledge their ability to command an entire expedition to station whilst not acknowledging their ability to command a single mission to station. Whether any commercial mission provider intends to actually hire a non-NASA astronaut would determine if anyone fights for their inclusion, though. Whilst the ESA could out of principle, not having any commercial (or otherwise) crew launch programme would make it difficult to claim any standing.

Rik ISS-fan · « **Reply #350 on:** 08/06/2022 12:21 pm »

The ISS is first and foremost a USA National Laboratory!
I think Axiom screwed up with their Axiom 1 mission. They mayorly disrupted the ISS station crew timelines by their over ambitious axiom 1 timeline. NASA had to take measures to prevent this from happening again.
So a (fromer) USA astronaut as commander of a commercial mission is a good measure for this.
In my oppinion this is Axiom's own doing. They have to show they can do their commercial missions, without mayor disruption of the station crew timeline, before the rules can be softened again.

Rondaz · « **Reply #351 on:** 08/10/2022 11:39 am »

Our campus at Houston Spaceport is starting to take shape!

With phase 1 pier drilling operations completed and framing beginning, we're shaping the future of commercial space at @HouSpaceport while continuing the legacy of our #SpaceCity HQ.

https://twitter.com/Axiom_Space/status/1557085825929822215

Rondaz · « **Reply #352 on:** 08/12/2022 12:38 pm »

Earth Views #Ax1

https://twitter.com/CommanderMLA/status/1557745426555699200

Hog · « **Reply #353 on:** 08/12/2022 07:30 pm »

Quote from: Rik ISS-fan on 08/06/2022 12:21 pm

The ISS is first and foremost a USA National Laboratory!
I think Axiom screwed up with their Axiom 1 mission. They mayorly disrupted the ISS station crew timelines by their over ambitious axiom 1 timeline. NASA had to take measures to prevent this from happening again.
So a (fromer) USA astronaut as commander of a commercial mission is a good measure for this.
In my oppinion this is Axiom's own doing. They have to show they can do their commercial missions, without mayor disruption of the station crew timeline, before the rules can be softened again.

Only from the viewpoint of an American, our Comrades who always seem to be in a hurry, probably see things differently.

shintoo · « **Reply #354 on:** 08/12/2022 07:36 pm »

Quote from: AmigaClone on 08/03/2022 09:45 pm

Quote from: vp. on 08/03/2022 07:04 pm
This decision is surprising.
The Dragon's next flight (Crew-5) will have no experienced NASA astronauts.

JAXA and ESA astronauts receive training alongside NASA astronauts, so NASA might be bending the rules in this case, since Koichi Wakata has spent 347 days in space, most of those on the ISS.

Crew-5 is not a private mission, which is what the rule applies to. No rules are being bent or exceptions being made

Rondaz · « **Reply #355 on:** 08/16/2022 10:40 am »

We have to continue inspiring the next generation. One of my Ax-1 crewmates, a private astronaut from Israel, had upwards of 80% of his country tuning in to the mission. Democratizing space is an opportunity to inspire the next generation, much like Apollo did for me as a child.

https://twitter.com/CommanderMLA/status/1559184847406604288

Rondaz · « **Reply #356 on:** 08/18/2022 09:46 pm »

We aspire to create a better world by opening access to space, allowing individuals around the globe to see the world through a different lens.

https://twitter.com/Axiom_Space/status/1559992795901100032

Rondaz · « **Reply #357 on:** 08/18/2022 09:49 pm »

The new private mission model is just the first step in building a commercial space economy. @Axiom_Space will provide a research platform for private and professional research, manufacturing and tech development entities that may not have access to the #ISS today.

https://twitter.com/CommanderMLA/status/1559905013069127682

Robotbeat · « **Reply #358 on:** 08/18/2022 10:01 pm »

Quote from: shintoo on 08/12/2022 07:36 pm

Quote from: AmigaClone on 08/03/2022 09:45 pm
Quote from: vp. on 08/03/2022 07:04 pm
This decision is surprising.
The Dragon's next flight (Crew-5) will have no experienced NASA astronauts.

JAXA and ESA astronauts receive training alongside NASA astronauts, so NASA might be bending the rules in this case, since Koichi Wakata has spent 347 days in space, most of those on the ISS.

Crew-5 is not a private mission, which is what the rule applies to. No rules are being bent or exceptions being made

Well NASA invented the rules, so it wouldn’t matter if they did.

Rondaz · « **Reply #359 on:** 08/23/2022 09:59 am »

#Ax1 was a successful and important first step to help us learn how NASA, SpaceX and Axiom can best work together. First steps can be tricky, but we are proud of what we have accomplished and now I'm looking forward to supporting @Astro_Peggy and the crew of #Ax2!

https://twitter.com/CommanderMLA/status/1561744905759821829