Axiom Orbital Segment

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For the company behind this project, see Axiom Space.

Artist's rendering of Axiom Orbital Segment docked at the forward port of Harmony

Axiom Orbital Segment or Axiom Segment are the planned components of the International Space Station (ISS) designed by Axiom Space for commercial space activities and space tourism uses. Axiom Space gained initial NASA approval for the venture in January 2020. This orbital segment may in future be separated from the ISS to become a separate space station, Axiom Station. It is unclear what launch vehicles will be used to launch these modules.[citation needed]

Axiom Segment[edit]

Up to three Axiom modules could attach to the International Space Station. The first module could be launched in 2024 and would dock to the forward port of Harmony, requiring relocation of Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA-2) to any other ports on ISS like Harmony nadir. Axiom Space plans to attach up to two additional modules to its first core module, and send private astronauts to inhabit the modules.[1]

Axiom renderings illustrate how the three modules might attach to the ISS as they are berthed and relocated by the Mobile Servicing System using Canadarm2. Canadarm2 might also continue its operations on the Axiom Space Station after the retirement of ISS in late 2020s.[2][3]

Axiom Station[edit]

The company released preliminary plans in February 2020 for how the Axiom Orbital Segment could form the basis for the Axiom Station, a potential future space station, constructed out of the Axiom Segment and additional elements upon ISS retirement and separation, including a power and thermal module with an airlock.[4][non-primary source needed] The company plans to launch its first module to the ISS in 2024, with the second, third and fourth launching in 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively[5][6]

The interior concept of the Axiom Orbital Segment was designed by French architect and designer Philippe Starck. Renderings of the habitat show a chamber with walls that are covered with tufted padding and studded with hundreds of color-changing LEDs.[7] The Axiom Orbital Segment will have amenities including high-speed Wi-Fi, video screens, picture windows and a glass-walled cupola — which Axiom calls "the largest window observatory ever constructed for the space environment".[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station module". SpaceNews. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Assembly Sequence: Watch the Axiom Segment of the ISS constructed module-by-module". Axiom Space. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  3. ^ "A Private Space Station Might Be Born From the ISS". seeker.com. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Axiom Space - Axiom Commercial Space Station". Axiom Space. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  5. ^ Corbett, Tobias (28 January 2020). "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station segment". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  6. ^ "A step closer to the Axiom Commercial Space Station". Thales Group. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  7. ^ "French designer creates womblike habitat for space tourists". NBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  8. ^ Corbett, Tobias (27 January 2020). "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station segment". NASASpaceFlight.com.

External links[edit]

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