Axiom Space facts for kids
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| Private incorporated company | |
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Michael T. Suffredini Kam Ghaffarian |
| Headquarters | |
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Key people
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| Services |
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Number of employees
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790 (2023) |
Axiom Space, Inc., often called Axiom Space, is an American company that builds things for space. It is based in Houston, Texas. The company started in 2016.
Axiom Space helps send people to space. They also want to build and run the world's first commercial space station. This station could be ready by the late 2020s. Many former NASA astronauts work for Axiom Space. These include Michael Lopez-Alegria and Peggy Whitson.
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How Axiom Space Started
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Axiom Space was founded in 2016. The founders are Michael T. Suffredini and Kam Ghaffarian. Michael Suffredini used to manage the International Space Station (ISS) program for NASA. He did this from 2005 to 2015.
After leaving NASA, he and Kam Ghaffarian decided to start Axiom Space. They wanted to work in the growing area of commercial space travel. Kam Ghaffarian is an engineer and business person. He sold his company, which worked a lot with NASA, in 2018.
In 2020, Axiom Space made a deal with SpaceX. This deal was to fly private astronauts to the ISS. The first flight, Axiom Mission 1, happened in April 2022.
Building Modules for the ISS
In 2020, NASA chose Axiom Space for an important project. NASA gave Axiom a $140 million contract. This was to build at least one living space module for the International Space Station. Axiom Space was the only company chosen for this project.
These modules are designed to connect to the Harmony part of the ISS. The goal is to show that private companies can offer services in low Earth orbit. Axiom's part of the station will include several sections. These are a connector module, a research area, a living space for astronauts, and a module with large windows for viewing Earth.
Axiom Station: A New Space Home
Axiom Space plans to build its own spacecraft modules. These modules will be launched one by one and put together in space. At first, they will connect to the International Space Station.
Later, when the ISS is retired, Axiom plans to detach its modules. Then, they will become their own independent space station, called Axiom Station. The company hopes to launch its first module to the ISS by late 2026. They aim to finish building the entire station by the late 2020s.
Axiom Station will train commercial astronauts. It will also host governments and other companies. Up to three Axiom Space modules could connect to the ISS. The first module will likely connect to the Harmony port.
The inside of Axiom Station was designed in 2018. A French architect named Philippe Starck created the design. The living areas might have soft walls with hundreds of lights that change color. Axiom Space plans to always have at least one astronaut on the station. This astronaut will manage research and repairs. The station will also have things like fast Wi-Fi and large windows.
Sending People to Space
Axiom Space offers human spaceflight services. They work with individuals, companies, and space agencies. Axiom Space offers missions to the International Space Station. A typical mission might last 10 days and include 15 weeks of training.
The training package includes many services. These cover mission planning, equipment development, and medical support. It also includes food for the crew and safety checks. Former NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Michael López-Alegría work for Axiom. They serve as commanders for these missions.
Research and Manufacturing in Space
Axiom Space wants to make money from research and manufacturing in microgravity. Microgravity is the condition where things seem weightless. They will use the ISS National Lab for this. They will continue to do so until their own modules are ready to use.
Axiom Space Missions
In June 2021, Axiom Space made a deal with SpaceX. This added three more crewed flights to the ISS, making a total of four.
Ax-1: First Private Mission
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Axiom Mission 1 was the first mission by Axiom Space. It was also the first time an all-private crew flew to the International Space Station. The mission launched on April 8, 2022. The crew returned to Earth on April 25, 2022.
Ax-2: Second Private Mission
Axiom Mission 2 was another private crew mission to the ISS. It launched on May 21, 2023. Four people flew to the ISS on this mission. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson was the mission commander. John Shoffner was the pilot. Two astronauts from Saudi Arabia, Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, were also on board.
Ax-3: Third Private Mission
Axiom Mission 3 was a private crew mission to the ISS. It launched on January 18, 2024. Four people went to the ISS for an expected 14-day trip. The crew included Walter Villadei from Italy, Alper Gezeravcı from Turkey (the first Turkish astronaut), and Marcus Wandt from Sweden.
Ax-4: Upcoming Mission
Axiom Mission 4 is a planned private crew mission to the ISS. It is set to launch no earlier than October 2024. Four people will fly to the ISS, including veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson. The crew is also expected to include astronauts from Poland and India.
Axiom Mission Control Center
In January 2022, Axiom Space opened its Mission Control Center (MCC-A). This center is at Axiom's main office in Houston, Texas. It helps manage science experiments on the ISS.
In April 2022, MCC-A supported many science operations for the Ax-1 mission. This was the first all-private mission to the ISS. Later in 2022, Axiom's MCC-A became a certified ISS partner Mission Control Center. This means it works closely with NASA's ISS program. In May 2023, MCC-A fully supported Axiom's second mission, Ax-2.
Flights
| Mission | Launch date (UTC) | Landing date (UTC) | Crew | Duration | Vehicle | Remarks | Outcome |
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| Axiom Mission 1 | 8 April 2022 | 25 April 2022 |
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17 days | Crew Dragon Endeavour | This was the first flight by Axiom Space. It was also the first fully private flight to the ISS. | Success |
| Axiom Mission 2 | 21 May 2023 | 31 May 2023 |
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10 days | Crew Dragon Freedom | This was the second private flight to the ISS by Axiom Space. | Success |
| Axiom Mission 3 | 18 January 2024 | 9 February 2024 |
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21 days | Crew Dragon Freedom | This was the third flight by Axiom Space. The astronauts were military pilots from Italy, Turkey, and Sweden. | Success |
| Axiom Mission 4 | NET October 2024 | NET October 2024 |  Peggy WhitsonTBA TBA TBA |
14-21 days | Crew Dragon | This mission is planned to launch later in 2024. | Planned |
New Space Suits
Future NASA Suits
On June 1, 2022, NASA announced a new plan. They chose Axiom Space and another company, Collins Aerospace, to create new spacesuits. These suits will be used by astronauts for spacewalks outside the ISS. They will also be used on the Moon for the Artemis program missions. These new suits will help prepare for human missions to Mars.
See Also
In Spanish: Axiom Space para niños
- Commercialization of space
- Private spaceflight
