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Axiom Space

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Axiom Space, Inc.
Company typePrivate incorporated company
IndustryAerospace
Founded2016; 8 years ago (2016)
FounderMichael T. Suffredini
Kam Ghaffarian[1]
Headquarters
Houston, Texas
United States
Key people
Services
Number of employees
790 (2023)
Websiteaxiomspace.com
Footnotes / references
[2]

Axiom Space, Inc., also known as Axiom Space, is an American privately funded space infrastructure developer headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Founded in 2016 by Michael T. Suffredini and Kam Ghaffarian, the company first flew a spaceflight in 2022: Axiom Mission 1, the first commercially crewed private spaceflight to the International Space Station. The company aims to own and operate the world's first commercial space station in 2025.[3][4] The company's employees include former NASA Administrator Charles Bolden[5] and astronauts Michael Lopez-Alegria and Brent W. Jett Jr.[6]

The company sent its first commercial astronauts into orbit in 2022. It also plans human spaceflight for government-funded and commercial astronauts engaging in in-space research, in-space manufacturing, and space exploration.[7]

History

Michael Suffredini in 2012

Axiom Space CEO Michael T. Suffredini was previously the program manager for the International Space Station from 2005 to 2015.[8] After retiring from NASA, Suffredini and Kam Ghaffarian started Axiom Space to target the emerging commercial spaceflight market. Ghaffarian is an engineer and entrepreneur who sold his company, Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc., a large NASA contractor, to KBR in 2018.[9]

The company was selected by NASA to provide the first commercial destination module on the International Space Station.[10] Axiom Space also announced in March 2020 a contract with SpaceX to fly commercial astronauts to the International Space Station via Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon scheduled for March 2022; launch took place 8 April 2022[11] and crew returned on 25 April.[12]

The company had 110 employees as of February 2021,[13] with offices located in Houston and Los Angeles.[citation needed]

NASA contract for ISS modules

Artist's rendering of Axiom modules connected to ISS

In 2020, as part of the broader Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) cislunar initiative, NASA awarded Axiom a US$140 million contract to provide at least one habitable spacecraft to attach to the International Space Station.[10] Axiom Space was the only selected proposal from the solicitation process due in 2019.[14] Bigelow Aerospace did not submit a proposal and has subsequently ceased operations.[15]

The modules constructed by Axiom Space are designed to attach to the Harmony forward port with the intent to demonstrate an ability to commercially provide services and products in the low Earth orbit economy. The "Axiom Segment" of the station was planned, as of January 2020, to include a node module to act as a connector, a research and manufacturing facility, a crew habitat, and a "large-windowed" module for viewing the Earth.[16]

Axiom Station

See also: Axiom Orbital Segment

Axiom Station intends to have its spacecraft modules individually launched and assembled in-orbit, first attaching to the International Space Station. Before ISS retirement (and atmospheric reentry), the company plans to detach its modules and commence orbit on its own as Axiom Station.[17][18] Axiom Space renderings from 2020 illustrate how modules might be berthed and relocated on the ISS by the Mobile Servicing System, specifically the Canadarm2. Canadarm2 might also continue its operations on the Axiom Space Station after the retirement of ISS in late 2020s.[19][20] The company is currently targeting late 2025 for the launch of its first module to the ISS and the late-2020s for station completion.[3]

Axiom Space plans to conduct astronaut training for commercial astronauts, to host governments and commercial partners. Up to three Axiom Space modules could attach to the International Space Station. The first module is expected to dock to the forward port of Harmony, which would require relocation of the PMA-2. Axiom Space plans to attach up to two additional modules to its initial core module, and send private astronauts to visit the modules.[1]

The Future Axiom Earth Observatory interior (Artist's illustration of the model designed by Philippe Starck)

The interior for Axiom Station was designed in 2018 by French architect 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.[21] Axiom Space has publicly stated an intent to maintain at least one astronaut in the station continuously,[when?] who will be assigned to take care of research projects and station repairs.[22] This includes amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, video screens, picture windows, and a glass-walled cupola.[23]

Human spaceflight

Axiom Space plans to provide human spaceflight services to people, corporations, and space agencies. Missions to the International Space Station are offered by Axiom Space, with a 10-day mission including 15 weeks of training.[24] In addition to training, Axiom Space states that the package will include mission planning, hardware development, life support, medical support, crew provisions, hardware and safety certifications, on-orbit operations, and mission management.[25] Missions could extend for longer periods of time depending on the focus of the spaceflight.

In June 2020, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said NASA was involved with the filming of a Tom Cruise movie to the ISS [26] with SpaceX expected to be the transportation partner for the flights.[27]

Astronauts

In-space research and manufacturing

Crystals grown in microgravity

Axiom Space intends to commercialize microgravity research and development, using the ISS National Lab until its own modules are operational.[citation needed]

Missions

In early June 2021, Axiom Space announced a deal with SpaceX which added three additional crewed flights to the ISS, for a total of four.[31]

Axiom Mission 1 at LC-39A undergoing prelaunch preparations

Ax-1

This paragraph is an excerpt from Axiom Mission 1.[edit]
Axiom Mission 1 (or Ax-1)[32] was a privately funded and operated crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was operated by Axiom Space out of Axiom's Mission Control Center MCC-A[33] in Houston, Texas. The flight launched on 8 April 2022 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.[34] The spacecraft used was a SpaceX Crew Dragon. The crew consisted of Michael López-Alegría,[35] a Spaniard-American and a professionally trained astronaut hired by Axiom, Eytan Stibbe[36] from Israel,[37] Larry Connor from the United States,[37] and Mark Pathy from Canada.[37]

Ax-2

Main article: Axiom Mission 2

Ax-2 is a planned private crew mission to the ISS. The flight is slated to launch on 9 May 2023 and send four people to the ISS.[38] On 25 May 2021, Axiom Space announced that former NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson would be the mission commander and John Shoffner would be the mission pilot.[39] On September 20, 2022, it was reported that Saudi Arabia had bought the remaining two seats for the mission.[40]

Ax-3

Main article: Axiom Mission 3

Ax-3 is a planned private crew mission to the ISS. The flight will launch no earlier than November 2023 and carry four people to the ISS.[41] The crew is expected to include Walter Villadei along with Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravci and is expected to launch in late 2023.[42][40]

Ax-4

Ax-4 is a planned private crew mission to the ISS. The flight will launch no earlier than mid-2024[43] and carry four people to the ISS, including the winner of the Space Hero reality television show.[44][45] The crew is expected to include a Hungarian astronaut.[46]

Axiom Mission Control Center

In January 2022, the Axiom Space Mission Control Center (or MCC-A) completed its first on-orbit operation on the ISS. The MCC-A, located at Axiom's HQ in Houston, TX, is registered as a payload operations site.[47]

Flights

Mission Patch Launch date (UTC) Landing date (UTC) Crew Duration Vehicle Remarks Outcome
Axiom Mission 1 Axiom-1 Patch 8 April 2022[48] 25 April 2022
17 days Crew Dragon Endeavour[49] First Crew Dragon flight contracted by Axiom Space. First fully private flight to the ISS, carrying Michael López-Alegría as Axiom professional astronaut,[50] Eytan Stibbe to conduct educational experiments for a 17-day trip,[51][52] Larry Connor and Mark Pathy, both heading investment companies.[50] Success
Axiom Mission 2 Axiom-2 Patch 21 May 2023[53] 27 May 2023
10 days Crew Dragon Second Crew Dragon flight contracted by Axiom Space.[54] Second fully private flight to the ISS, carrying Peggy Whitson as Axiom professional astronaut. Planned
Axiom Mission 3 NET November 2023[43] NET November 2023
Crew Dragon Planned
Axiom Mission 4 2024[43] Planned

Space suit

Future NASA contracted suits

On 1 June 2022, NASA announced it had selected Axiom Space along with competing Collins Aerospace to develop and provide astronauts with next generation spacesuit and spacewalk systems to first test and later use outside the International Space Station, as well as on the lunar surface for the crewed Artemis missions, and prepare for human missions to Mars.[55][56]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station module". SpaceNews. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Axiom Raises US$130 million". GeekWire. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (14 October 2022). "Commercial space station developers seek clarity on regulations". SpaceNews. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  4. ^ Wall, Mike (14 June 2018). "Want to Take a 10-Day Trip to the Space Station? It'll Cost You US$55 Million". Space.com. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  5. ^ Mack, Eric. "NASA will attach a private room to rent on the International Space Station". CNET. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Rising Star - Axiom Space". SpaceFund. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  7. ^ Mack, Eric. "On NASA's 60th birthday, it's reinventing itself for the SpaceX era". CNET. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  8. ^ Reichhardt, Troy. "This Group of NASA Veterans Wants to Build Their Own Space Station". airspacemag.com. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  9. ^ Wilkers, Ross. "In SGT deal, KBR further transforms its government services business". Washington Technology. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  10. ^ a b Northon, Karen (27 January 2020). "NASA Selects First Commercial Destination Module for International Space Station". nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 12 June 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ^ Stephen Clark (5 March 2020). "Axiom strikes deal with SpaceX to ferry private astronauts to space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  12. ^ "The 1st private astronaut mission to International Space Station is back on Earth". NPR. Associated Press. 25 April 2022.
  13. ^ Sheetz, Michael (16 February 2021). "Private spaceflight specialist Axiom Space raises US$130 million to become the latest space unicorn". CNBC. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  14. ^ "NextSTEP J - Opportunities to Stimulate Demand in Low Earth Orbit through Applied Research". nasa.gov. NASA. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. ^ Foust, Jeff (23 March 2020). "Bigelow Aerospace lays off entire workforce". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  16. ^ Foust, Jeff (28 January 2020). "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station module". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Axiom Space - Axiom Commercial Space Station". Axiom Space. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  18. ^ Etherington, Darrell (27 January 2020). "NASA taps startup Axiom Space for the first habitable commercial module for the Space Station". TechCrunch. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Assembly Sequence: Watch the Axiom Segment of the ISS constructed module-by-module". Axiom Space. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  20. ^ "A Private Space Station Might Be Born From the ISS - Seeker". seeker.com. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  21. ^ "French designer creates womblike habitat for space tourists". NBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  22. ^ Colangelo, Anthony. "Episode T+147: Mike Suffredini, President & CEO of Axiom". mainenginecutoff.com. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  23. ^ Corbett, Tobias (27 January 2020). "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station segment". NASASpaceFlight.com.
  24. ^ Sheetz, Michael (5 March 2020). "SpaceX signs deal to fly 3 space tourists to the International Space Station late next year". CNBC. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  25. ^ Boyle, Alan (5 March 2020). "Axiom Space makes deal with SpaceX to send customers to space station next year". GeekWire. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  26. ^ "Origins: Jim Bridenstine". offnominal.space. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  27. ^ Sheetz, Michael (5 May 2020). "NASA is working with Tom Cruise to film a movie in space". CNBC. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  28. ^ "Peggy Whitson". Axiom Space. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  29. ^ "Michael Lopez-Alegria". Axiom Space. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  30. ^ "Axiom Space to train Italian Air Force's Col. Walter Villadei as professional astronaut for future space mission". Axiom Space. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  31. ^ Sheetz, Michael (2 June 2021). "Axiom Space expands SpaceX private crew launch deal, with four total missions to the space station". CNBC. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  32. ^ "NASA, Axiom Agree to First Private Astronaut Mission on Space Station". NASA. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  33. ^ "Axiom Space's Mission Control Center Ready to Support Upcoming Ax-1 Mission to International Space Station". Axiom Space. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  34. ^ "NASA Launch Schedule". NASA. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  35. ^ Irene Klotz [@Free_Space] (18 September 2020). "SpaNSFce Hero mission is about 4th on @Axiom_Space manifest, Mike Suffredini tells @AviationWeek. First up in October '21 is flight of 3 private individuals and former @NASA_Astronauts Mike Lopez-Algeria" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ^ "Israel's second astronaut to blast off to space in 2021". 16 November 2020.
  37. ^ a b c Robert Z. Pearlman (26 January 2021). "Axiom Space Names First Private Crew to Visit Space Station". Scientific American. Scientific American.
  38. ^ Wall, Mike (6 April 2023). "Axiom Space targeting May 8 for launch of 2nd private crewed mission to space station". Space.com. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  39. ^ Harwood, William (25 May 2021). "Whitson to command planned commercial flight to space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  40. ^ a b c Roulette, Joey (21 September 2022). "Exclusive: Saudi Arabia buys pair of SpaceX astronaut seats from Axiom -sources". Reuters.
  41. ^ "NASA Selects Axiom Space for Third Private Astronaut Station Mission". NASA (Press release). 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  42. ^ "Axiom Space and Italian Government Sign Historic MOU to Expand Commercial Utilization of Space". Axiom Space. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  43. ^ a b c Foust, Jeff [@jeff_foust] (27 February 2023). "In his talk last night, @CommanderMLA said Axiom is now in contract negotiations with NASA for the Ax-3 and 4 missions. Ax-3 could launch as soon as November and, like Ax-2, would likely have 2 gov't astronauts and one private astronaut. Ax-4 would be mid-2024, crew TBD" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Clark, Stephen (23 September 2020). "Axiom finalizing agreements for private astronaut mission to space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  45. ^ "Axiom Space signs blockbuster deal with SpaceX through 2023 to fly three additional Axiom private crew missions to ISS" (Press release). Axiom Space. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  46. ^ Megállapodást írt alá hazánk és az Axiom Space űrvállalat
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  48. ^ Davenport, Justin (8 April 2022). "Axiom-1 launches first ever private crewed mission to ISS". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  49. ^ Margetta, Robert (2 February 2022). "NASA, Space Station Partners Approve First Axiom Mission Astronauts". NASA. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  50. ^ a b "Axiom Space names first private crew to launch to space station". collectSPACE. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
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  52. ^ O'Kane, Sean (5 March 2020). "SpaceX will send three tourists to the International Space Station next year". The Verge. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  53. ^ Baylor, Michael. "Falcon 9 Block 5 - Axiom Mission 2 (AX-2)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  54. ^ Foust, Jeff (20 December 2021). "NASA selects Axiom for second private astronaut mission to ISS". SpaceNews. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  55. ^ "NASA Partners with Industry for New Spacewalking, Moonwalking Services". NASA. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  56. ^ "NASA selects Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace for spacesuit contracts". SpaceNews. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
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