Mar 14, 2023RELEASE 23-028NASA Selects Axiom Space for Third Private Astronaut Station MissionNASA and Axiom Space have signed a mission order for the third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than November 2023 from the agency’s NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.“The diversity of currently available commercial orbital human spaceflight opportunities is truly astounding. NASA’s commercial crew flights to the space station for our government astronauts paved the way for fully private missions to space like Inspiration4 and Polaris as well as private astronaut missions to the orbiting laboratory like the one we are announcing today,” said Phil McAlister, director of commercial space at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We are starting to see the incorporation of space into our economic sphere, and it is going to revolutionize the way people see, use, and experience space.” Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) is expected to spend 14 days docked to the space station. A specific launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the space station and in-orbit activity planning and constraints. NASA and Axiom Space mission planners will coordinate in-orbit activities for the private astronauts to conduct in coordination with space station crew members and flight controllers on the ground.“Axiom Space’s selection to lead the next private astronaut mission to the International Space Station enables us to continue expanding access to nations, academia, commercial entities, and emerging industries to research, test, and demonstrate new technologies in microgravity,” said Michael Suffredini, CEO and president of Axiom Space. “As NASA’s focus shifts back to the Moon and on to Mars, we are committed to transforming low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace, where access to space moves beyond the partners of the space station to nations, institutions and individuals with new ideas fueling a thriving human economy beyond Earth.”Axiom Space will submit four proposed crew members and two back up crew for the Ax-3 mission to the station’s Multilateral Crew Operations Panel for review. NASA is requiring all private astronaut mission providers to select a previously flown NASA astronaut as the spacecraft commander. Following review and approval from NASA and its international partners, the prime crew members for the mission will be named.The Ax-3 crew members will train for their flight with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX, which Axiom Space has contracted as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station and to familiarize the private astronauts with systems, procedures, and emergency preparedness for the space station and the Dragon spacecraft. Based on current mission planning, team crew training is scheduled to begin this spring.Axiom Space is obtaining NASA services to conduct the mission via both the mission specific order and Reimbursable Space Act Agreements.Through the mission specific order, Axiom Space is obtaining services from NASA such as crew supplies, cargo delivery to space, storage, and other in-orbit resources for daily use. The order also accommodates up to an additional contingency week aboard the space station. This mission is subject to NASA’s pricing policy for the services the agency is providing to Axiom Space for in-orbit activities that are above space station baseline capabilities.The order also identifies capabilities NASA may obtain from Axiom Space, including the return of scientific samples that must be kept cold in transit to and from Earth, return cargo capability, and the capability to use the private astronaut mission commander’s time during the docked mission to complete NASA science or perform tasks for NASA.Through Reimbursable Space Act Agreements, Axiom Space will reimburse NASA for services to enable the mission, such as training for crew members and use of facilities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In addition, SpaceX has a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with Kennedy for launch services.NASA made the selection for the third private astronaut mission from proposals received in response to its September 2022 NASA Research Announcement and evaluated the mission proposals based on the provider’s ability to execute a mission successfully, NASA’s ability to support the proposed mission, and the mission’s contribution to the agency’s goal of low-Earth orbit commercialization. NASA also solicited proposals for a fourth private astronaut mission opportunity in 2024 and will announce the mission after successful completion of negotiations results in an award.For more than 22 years, NASA has supported a continuous U.S. human presence in low-Earth orbit. The agency's goal is a low-Earth orbit marketplace where NASA is one of many customers, and the private sector leads the way. This strategy will provide services the government needs at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on its Artemis missions to the Moon and on to Mars while continuing to use low-Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions.Learn more about how NASA is fostering a robust commercial low-Earth orbit economy at:https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy-end-
The SpaceX Dragon Endeavour crew ship is pictured docked to the Harmony module's space-facing international docking adapter. Endeavour carried four Axiom Mission 1 astronauts, Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy, to the International Space Station for several days of research, education, and commercial activities.Credits: NASA
The complex Node Cylinder, 1 of 4 Flight Hardware rings will be used to connect the Axiom Station module’s primary structure sectors. Seven of these rings are needed to assemble each primary structure of the Axiom Station habitation module. @Thales_Alenia_S #BuildingHistory
The Axiom team is working with the Turkish Space Agency & TÜBİTAK UZAY to develop the country’s human spaceflight program & select its very first astronaut.
Turkish Space Agency President Serdar Hüseyin Yıldırım said that his country’s first citizen will go to the International Space Station (ISS) for scientific research in November this year
The Axiom Space Habitation Module is being prepared at @Thales_Alenia_S. The large cylinder and cones will be combined to create the module. The 4 white rings are the Integration Stand Jig used to clamp the module during the integration phase.
Swedish astronaut to fly to ISS on Axiom mission:https://spacenews.com/swedish-astronaut-to-fly-to-iss-on-axiom-mission/https://twitter.com/SpaceNews_Inc/status/1649544120250056705
The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), used during the Space Shuttle Program to transfer cargo to and from the International Space Station, is loaded into NASA's Super Guppy aircraft at the Launch and Landing Facility runway at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 25, 2023. The MPLM will be transported to Ellington Field in Houston, where it will then be transported by road to Axiom’s facility near Ellington to be utilized to further commercialization of space. Three MPLMs were built by Thales Alenia Space Italia (TASI) for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and named after Italian masters (Leonardo, Raffaello, and Donatello). Only two ever flew to the space station, Leonardo and Raffaello, with Axiom intending to use the Raffaello module as a future element that will attach to a segment being built by the company for addition to the station.
N° 28–2023: ESA proposes Marcus Wandt from Sweden to fly on a future Axiom space mission15 June 2023Media representatives are invited to a press event on Friday 16 June at 16:00 CEST in Stockholm with Marcus Wandt, member of the ESA astronaut reserve, and learn more about a future spaceflight with Axiom Space.Marcus Wandt was selected in November 2022 as a member of the ESA astronaut reserve after a year-long selection process. The 2022 ESA recruitment campaign received more than 22500 applications from across its Member States.The Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA), together with other partners, is cooperating with ESA and commercial space company Axiom Space to support a future mission to space with Marcus Wandt. ESA is currently in the process of coordinating this mission.ESA and SNSA are working on a proposal for an ambitious scientific, technological, and educational programme for Marcus that can be carried out inside Europe’s Columbus laboratory. Marcus joined the European Astronaut Corps on 1 June as an ESA project astronaut for the duration of his mission duties.The Swedish astronaut is following intensive training program to meet the high standards required for space flight.Marcus Wandt was born in 1980 and has an extensive experience as a military jet and test pilot for the Swedish Air Force.Media registrationJournalists who would like to attend the press conference in person or via Zoom need to register no later than Friday 16 June at 14:30 CEST. Please contact Linnea Ilbring ([email protected]) with your name, affiliation and whether you wish to join in person or virtually. Press Conference detailsTime: 16:00 (doors open at 15:30)Venue: Rödbodgatan 6, Stockholm or via ZoomESA Web TV offers a livestreaming of the complete event (from 16:00): www.esa.int/ESA_Web_TVParticipants- David Parker, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration- Mats Persson, Swedish Minister for Education- Anna Rathsman, Director General of Swedish National Space Agency- Marcus Wandt, ESA Project AstronautFor interviews with Dr David Parker and Mr Marcus Wandt, please contact [email protected] .
@AstroPeggy sat down with @MorganLBrennan to talk about being the most experienced U.S. astronaut, the #Ax2 mission and the future of commercial space in this episode of the Manifest Space podcast. #ExperienceSpace
NASA safety panel (ASAP) member Mark Sirangelo, on the CLD (commercial space station) program: @Axiom_Space expects to take delivery of first two modules from Thales is expected to commission assembly & integration facility next year.
August 3, 2023NASA Selects Axiom Space for Fourth Private Astronaut Mission to International Space StationNews, ReleaseNASA and Axiom Space have signed a mission order for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), marking the Houston-based company and space industry leader as the only full-service mission provider to carry out end-to-end commercial astronaut missions to the orbiting laboratory. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is targeted to launch no earlier than August 2024 from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and is expected to spend up to 14 days docked to the space station. The Ax-4 crew members will train with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX for their flight. Axiom Space has contracted SpaceX as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station, and to familiarize the private astronauts with systems, procedures, and emergency preparedness for the Dragon spacecraft. "Our Axiom Space team is looking forward to a fourth mission to the ISS,” said Michael Suffredini, CEO and president of Axiom Space. “Each mission allows us to build on the foundation we have set for the world's first commercial space station, Axiom Station, preparing our teams and orbital platform to succeed ISS operations in low-Earth orbit (LEO). These missions are instrumental in expanding commercial space activities and access to space for individuals and nations around the world, as well as developing the knowledge and experience needed to normalize living and working in microgravity.” The first mission order for a private astronaut mission to the ISS was signed by NASA and Axiom Space in May 2021. Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), which launched on April 8, 2022, successfully demonstrated Axiom Space’s ability to integrate with the ISS program and processes and conduct meaningful research in LEO. In August 2022, a second NASA mission order was signed with Axiom Space for Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2). Ax-2 successfully launched on May 21, 2023, to include the first female to command a commercial human spaceflight mission, the first Saudi astronauts to live and work on the ISS, and the first Saudi female astronaut to go to space. And just a few months ago, in March 2023, NASA and Axiom Space signed a mission order for a third private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), which is targeted to launch no earlier than January 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.Axiom Space’s broad range of human spaceflight services include access to training facilities and instructors, hardware and safety certification, and operational on-orbit management. Candidates for flight complete Axiom Space’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 processes, and expand the community of space explorers to a larger and more diverse representation of humanity.
The qualification model of the windows for the @Axiom_Space Station is now integrated and ready to be tested.Exact replica of the ones that will equip the Axiom Habs, once in orbit, they will safely face Earth 🌎 offering a wide landscape of our blue planet.#BuildingforBeyond
August 21, 2023Axiom Space Raises $350M at Series-C Close with $2.2B+ in Customer ContractsNewsInvestments, led by Aljazira Capital and Boryung, will fuel continued growth for Houston-based space company building world’s first commercial space stationHOUSTON, August 21, 2023 – Axiom Space announced today that it secured $350 million in its Series-C round of growth funding, lifting the total funds raised to over $505 million from investors and achieving more than $2.2 billion in customer contracts. To date, Aljazira Capital and Boryung Co., Ltd., have anchored the round, paired with support from an array of diverse backers that include deep-tech venture capital funds and strategic brand partners, positioning Axiom Space as second to SpaceX for the most amount of money raised by a private space company in 2023, based on available pitchbook data.“We are honored to team with investors like Aljazira Capital, Boryung and others, who are committed to realizing the Axiom Space vision,” said Axiom Space CEO and president Michael Suffredini. “Together, we are working to serve innovators in medicine, materials science, and on-orbit infrastructure who represent billions of dollars in demand over the coming decade. We are building on the legacy of the International Space Station, leveraging the pillars that were constructed in low-Earth orbit more than two decades ago, to now support a burgeoning global space economy.”Aljazira Capital, one of the major financial powerhouses in Saudi Arabia, has been making significant strides in the world of investment, notably in innovative startup companies across various sectors. Naif AlMesned, CEO and managing director of Aljazira Capital, said, “We believe in the importance of innovation in various sectors and across various markets. In line with the Saudi Vision 2030’s transformative approach, we acknowledge the need for technology toward the advancement of human life. To that end, we are excited to support Axiom Space along its journey of building for beyond.” Aljazira Capital highlighted that it has a profound interest in advancing new technologies and fostering innovation in diverse markets. Its portfolio includes investments in a number of exciting technology-driven ventures, with a distinct focus on enabling businesses that make an impact on society. Boryung, a healthcare investment company and multi-round lead investor in Axiom Space, strives to establish a space healthcare ecosystem that supports long-duration human space missions and utilizes the space environment to develop new technologies on Earth innovatively. According to Jay Kim, Boryung Chairman, Axiom Station is the preeminent platform for this type of development. “We recognize the depth of human spaceflight knowledge and the level of space station construction and management experience at Axiom Space, as well as the sophistication of the company’s sales and business strategy,” Kim said. “We have a shared vision and ethos and are excited to build opportunity together.”In addition to building strategic partnerships, Axiom Space’s business operations have been notably successful, with the company not only winning NASA’s port award as the only space company with the privilege of attaching its first commercial space station module to the ISS, but also securing a long-term NASA contract worth $1.26 billion to provide Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) spacesuits for the Moon and LEO. Guaranteed payments from these task orders total about $370 million, increasing with each new task order received.Axiom Station’s first module is under construction and is scheduled to launch to the ISS by 2026. Additional modules will follow to build out Axiom Station, which will be ready to separate from the ISS and operate independently, in support of customers around the world, by 2031 when NASA plans to retire the ISS.
Aljazira Capital CEO Naif AlMesned and Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that a Hungarian astronaut will be aboard the Axiom-5 mission to the International Space Station.The Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) programme was launched in 2021 with the aim of sending an astronaut to the ISS by 2024. The programme was part of the country’s first space strategy, which aimed to strengthen the country’s international role, among other key objectives.Axiom-5 is tentatively scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025, and there are currently four people in the running to be selected for the mission, according to a report from SpacejunkieH.The selection process attracted 244 candidate applications. Following an initial screening round, 100 applicants (14 women and 86 men) were given an online aptitude test. Approximately 50 applicants then proceeded to the next stage of the selection process, which involved a “competence assessment.” Twenty-six candidates then underwent physical and psychological testing.Following a twelve-month selection process, the top four candidates were presented to the public on March 7 at a press conference. The four candidates are András Szakály, Dr. Ádám Schlégl, Gyula Cserényi and Gyula Cserényi.All four will undergo training in the United States before the group is narrowed down to two. The candidate selected for the mission will then be announced shortly before the launch date, with the other candidate likely acting as a backup.The mission itself will be one month long, during which the selected candidate will carry out a number of experiments. A total of Twenty-four project proposals were received from Hungarian aerospace companies, universities, research institutes, and non-profit professional and educational organizations. Eight experiments and twelve Hungarian-developed instruments were selected for the mission.
A peek inside of the Axiom Station! @spaceexplore
