Axiom Space, the Houston-based company that aims to build the world’s first commercial space station, is currently collecting mission data while manufacturing the groundbreaking station. The company recently launched the Ax-3 mission, which consists of the first all-European crew of private astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS). However, due to unfavorable weather conditions near the Florida coastline, the crew’s return to Earth has been delayed.
The Ax-3 crew, led by commander Michael López-Alegría, a former NASA astronaut and dual American-Spanish citizen, is conducting more than 30 scientific experiments aboard the ISS. Their extended stay in low-Earth orbit has allowed them to gather valuable data for Axiom Space’s mission of building a commercial space station. Despite the delays caused by poor weather, the astronauts remain optimistic, with López-Alegría tweeting, “Extra time on the @Space_Station is never a bad thing!”
Axiom Space, which prides itself as the sole company with the privilege of connecting modules to the ISS, launched the Ax-3 crew on January 18th in partnership with NASA. The company’s chief technology officer, Mike Baine, emphasized the importance of the Ax-3 mission in preparing for the operation of Axiom Station as a commercial space station. He explained that these precursor missions allow them to learn and adapt to the differences between commercial and traditional crews, refining processes and procedures along the way.
Once completed, Axiom Station will consist of four modules: Hab One and Hab Two, which will house up to four crewmembers each and provide limited research capabilities; the Axiom Research and Manufacturing Facility (Ax-RMF), which will house commercial research and manufacturing space as well as an Earth observatory; and the Axiom Power Thermal Module (AxPTM), which will provide environmental support and allow the space station to operate independently.
Axiom Space’s president-CEO, Michael Suffredini, who previously served as NASA’s ISS program manager, outlined the three phases of building the commercial space station. The first phase involves missions like Ax-3, where completed modules are added to the ISS. In the second phase, these modules will be integrated into the ISS, and in the final phase, Axiom Space will detach from the ISS and become a free-flying commercial space station.
The company is on track to launch its first module from Florida to the ISS by late 2026. Baine revealed that manufacturing of the first elements and flight structural components is currently underway, while life-support and crew systems are in the critical design phase. System-level integration and tests are expected to take place in 2025-2026.
To support its operations, Axiom Space plans to have a significant presence on Florida’s Space Coast. This includes crew logistics, medical support, rescue forces, quarantine facilities, cargo facilities, and research payload facilities. The company aims to accommodate multiple launches within the same year to deliver Axiom Station elements, resupply missions, and crews.
Axiom Space’s ambitious goal of building the world’s first commercial space station is well underway. With the successful Ax-3 mission and the collection of valuable mission data, the company is making significant progress towards its vision of a future where commercial space travel is a reality. As they continue to refine their processes and procedures, Axiom Space is paving the way for a new era of space exploration and commercialization.