Axiom Space and NASA Announce First Private Human Launch to ISS

Axiom Space and NASA Detail the Upcoming AX-1 Mission

Details regarding the forthcoming Axiom Mission 1 (AX-1), the inaugural all-private human mission destined for the International Space Station, were jointly revealed on Monday by Houston-based Axiom Space and NASA.

Mission Overview

Scheduled for January 2022, the Axiom Mission 1 spaceflight will transport four private astronauts to the ISS. The duration of the mission is projected to be eight days, with launch originating from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida utilizing a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. During their time in orbit, the crew will reside and conduct work within the U.S. segment of the ISS.

Financial Aspects of the Mission

NASA has allocated $1.69 million to Axiom Space for services related to the mission, encompassing the transportation of supplies to the ISS. This figure, however, does not include any other potential reimbursable agreements established between the two organizations.

According to Axiom CEO Michael Suffredini, there is a “high degree of confidence” in the late January launch timeframe.

Crew Composition

The crew roster, previously announced by Axiom in January, includes Canadian investor Mark Pathy, investor Larry Connor, and former Israeli Air Force pilot Eytan Stibbe. Leading the mission as commander is Michael López-Alegría, a former NASA astronaut and current Axiom Space VP, boasting experience from four prior spaceflights.

Research Objectives

Pathy, Connor, and Stibbe will each participate in dedicated research endeavors while aboard the ISS. Pathy will collaborate with the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Canadian Space Agency. Connor’s research will involve partnerships with the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Stibbe will be conducting scientific experiments coordinated by the Israel Space Agency, operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

López-Alegría emphasized the crew’s dedication, stating, “Larry and Mark are very serious individuals who are dedicated to being the best they can be in the mold of a NASA astronaut and they’re not interested in being tourists.” He further added, “They want to do their part to improve humankind.”

Crew Training

To adequately prepare for the mission, the four crew members will undergo a rigorous training regimen, beginning with a “camping trip” in the Alaskan foothills in July to simulate challenging conditions. Full-time training for López-Alegría will commence around August, followed by Larry in September, and the remaining crew members in October. Approximately two-thirds of their training will focus specifically on ISS operations, while the remainder will be dedicated to training with SpaceX.

The staggered training schedule reflects the differing responsibilities assigned to each crew member during the mission. Axiom will leverage the same training contractors utilized by NASA for its astronauts.

Mission Costs

While Suffredini refrained from disclosing the exact amount paid by the private astronauts for their flight, he acknowledged that figures reported in the tens of millions are plausible. Reports from The Washington Post in January indicated a price of $55 million per seat.

Future of Space Travel Costs

Suffredini suggested that while current prices are substantial, significant price reductions are unlikely for at least another decade, hindering widespread accessibility to space travel.

Axiom’s Long-Term Vision

Axiom’s ambitions extend beyond individual astronaut flights to encompass both private and national missions to the ISS, and ultimately, the development of its own privately funded space station. While Axiom has plans for AX-2, AX-3, and AX-4, Suffredini noted the competitive nature of securing mission opportunities.

The limited number of docking ports available on the ISS – only two – restricts the number of missions possible, as highlighted by Station deputy manager Dana Weigel. This underscores the necessity for additional space stations to accommodate the increasing demand for both commercial and scientific space endeavors.

Commercial Module Development

In January 2020, Axiom secured a NASA contract to design and install a commercial module onto the Harmony docking port of the ISS, with an anticipated completion date as early as 2024.

A New Era in Spaceflight

Phil McAlister, NASA’s director of commercial spaceflight development, characterized recent advancements in commercial spaceflight, including those from Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic alongside the Axiom mission, as “a renaissance in U.S. human spaceflight.”

He concluded, “A lot of times history can feel incremental when you’re in it, but I really feel like we are in it this year. This is a real inflection point with human spaceflight.”