Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-27-2020 10:39 PM
Please use this topic to discuss Axiom Space's commercial space station, including the company's plans to first dock modules to the International Space Station.
rasorenson Member
Posts: 129 From: Santa Clara, CA, USA Registered: Nov 2009
posted 01-27-2020 10:40 PM
How large and how many are these contracts? Will Axiom provide IPO? Thanks.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-27-2020 10:45 PM
Now that Axiom Space has been selected, NASA and the company will next negotiate a five-year, fixed-price contract (with a two-year option).
NASA has not said if additional companies will be selected for use of the space station, but does plan a similar opportunity for a commercial free-flyer.
denali414 Member
Posts: 877 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 01-28-2020 10:41 AM
This is really good news. Do think this will lead to a LEO commercial space hab shortly. Do not think will be mostly for space tourism, as thought a decade ago, but more for big pharma and other industries for microgravity research.
There are many more companies that would love to use a microgravity environment then currently have space now for their experiments.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1356 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 01-28-2020 11:51 AM
How does the Axiom differ from the Bigelow module currently attached to the ISS? Once negotiations are complete, will we be able to compare price, safety, functionality, safety and longevity between the two?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-28-2020 11:58 AM
BEAM is not habitable. It can support brief entries by crew members to stow or retrieve items with the augmentation of air vents and lighting.
The Axiom module(s) will be for crew habitation and use, and eventually will be separated from the space station to form a standalone private orbital facility.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1400 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 06-24-2020 11:07 PM
Thales Alenia Space, Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) announced the signature of an ATP (Authorization To Proceed) with Axiom Space of Houston, Texas to initiate the development of two key pressurized elements dedicated to the world's first commercial space station.
While I recognize that this is a business endeavor, I strongly suspect it is at least partially funded by NASA. Given that Thales Alenia Space is a Franco-Italian company, I do hope that there are some lines in the NASA licensing agreement that a certain percentage of the components and/or assembling be made/done in the USA.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-23-2020 01:20 AM
From Axiom Space (via Twitter):
Axiom has successfully completed the System Requirements Review for Axiom Station and our first spacecraft module. This review with NASA marks the next major milestone on the road to the world's first commercial space station.
We are on to the primary design phase.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-30-2020 01:11 PM
From Axiom Space (via Twitter):
Axiom Station's fifth design analysis cycle is complete, introducing a significant change to the world's first commercial space station.
The former Node and Hab have been combined into the Axiom Hub module, the central nexus of future human activity in Earth's orbit.
With two Hubs, the Axiom Station crew capacity and number of radial ports both stand at eight ... for now.
The Axiom Lab module is the next step for astronaut-tended manufacturing and research in space. What industries could you reshape in microgravity?
The Axiom Power Tower's solar array, expanded ECLSS, and EVA airlock complete the first iteration of the Axiom Station and ready it to fly solo.
The pillar of a thriving ecosystem of commercial activity, manufacturing innovation, and breakthrough research in space.
The platform empowering exploration of the Solar System.
The world's first privately developed space station.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-12-2021 02:25 PM
Axiom Space update (via Twitter):
Axiom and NASA have successfully completed Preliminary Design Review of AxH1 and AxH2, as well as Critical Design Review of the modules' primary structure. This affirmation that the design meets all requirements is the latest major milestone on the path to launch in late 2024.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-31-2024 02:22 PM
From Michael Lopez-Alegria (via X):
The Axiom Station is coming to life! We're on track to launch HAB1 in 2026.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-21-2024 05:36 PM
Axiom Space video
Axiom Station's 'Habitat One' module has taken another major step towards completion at the Thales Alenia Space production facility in Turin, Italy. Take a look at the module bulkhead and forward cone coming together as Axiom Space expands global access to low Earth orbit.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-31-2024 06:45 PM
From Axiom Space (via X):
Axiom Station's Habitat One pressure vessel nears completion!
Thales Alenia has welded the Axial Bulkhead to the Cone Panel and is moving toward quality inspection. With this, only three more welds remain until the pressure vessel is complete and Hab One is prepared for shipping to Houston.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53635 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-18-2024 08:25 AM
Axiom now plans to launch its Payload Power Thermal Module (AxPPTM) first and berth it with the ISS in 2027. It will then launch Habitat 1 (AxH1) in 2028, when the station will separate from the ISS, allowing operations to begin earlier and freeing up the port for NASA to begin tests of its ISS deorbit module.
An airlock, Habitat 2 (AxH2) and the Research and Manufacturing Facility (AxRMF) will then be added to the free-flying Axiom Station.
posted 01-27-2020 10:39 PM
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