spacex will launch four private astronaut missions to the space station through 2023

SpaceX Expands Private Astronaut Missions to the ISS

SpaceX is increasing the number of opportunities for private astronauts to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). This expansion builds upon previously announced missions, with the earliest scheduled for early next January.

Axiom Space Partnership

All four of these forthcoming flights have been contracted by Axiom, a company specializing in commercial spaceflight and station development. These missions are planned to occur throughout the period spanning early next year and 2023.

Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 Certification

The Crew Dragon spacecraft, coupled with the Falcon 9 launch system, represents the first commercially certified system for human transport to the ISS. It has already successfully delivered three teams of NASA astronauts to the orbital laboratory.

These deliveries included a demonstration crew for final qualification testing, as well as two operational crews for long-duration stays and work on the station.

The AX-1 Mission

In May, Axiom and NASA detailed the AX-1 mission, marking the inaugural all-private launch to the ISS. This mission will transport four passengers to the station for an eight-day period of living and working in space.

Astronaut Training

NASA and SpaceX will be responsible for providing comprehensive training to all four Axiom crews preparing for their journeys to the station.

While specific details regarding the remaining three missions, including their objectives and timelines, have not yet been disclosed, the current schedule utilizes all available NASA-allocated capacity.

NASA has allocated a maximum of two private astronaut missions per year for both 2022 and 2023.

Other Private Missions

Prior to these SpaceX missions, a private astronaut flight is already scheduled for 2021. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has secured a seat aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket for a trip to the station in early December.

Mr. Maezawa’s booking was facilitated through Space Adventures, a company with a history of arranging spaceflights for private individuals over the past two decades.

Axiom’s Long-Term Vision

Axiom envisions a future where commercial orbital space stations are more accessible and consistently utilized. The company is currently developing a commercial module for attachment to the existing ISS.

Furthermore, Axiom has plans to construct a fully independent, privately owned successor to the ISS in the future.

Securing four missions with multiple crew members over a two-year period demonstrates a growing and sustained demand for this type of space access, extending beyond occasional ventures by wealthy individuals.