Thales Alenia Space to Build Modules for Axiom Space Station

Axiom Space's Commercial Space Station: Development Updates

Further specifics are now being revealed regarding Axiom Space, a company headquartered in Houston, and their ambitious undertaking to construct and manage the world’s inaugural commercial space station.

Module Development by Thales Alenia Space

The development of the two pressurized modules for the Axiom Space Station will be handled by Thales Alenia Space, a prominent European aerospace manufacturer. These two components are currently slated for launch in 2024 and 2025.

Initially, these modules will connect to the International Space Station (ISS). Subsequently, they will detach and function as a completely self-sufficient, commercially operated station.

Contract Details and Module Capacity

The final contract, with a value of €110 million (equivalent to $130 million), was officially signed by the two companies on Thursday. Each module is designed to comfortably accommodate a crew of four individuals.

Thales will also be responsible for the design of a robust micrometeoroid and orbital debris protection system for each module, ensuring crew safety.

Current Design and Manufacturing Progress

The modules are presently undergoing the design phase, as confirmed by Thales Alenia Space. Recently, the company successfully completed the development of the first module’s four radial bulkheads at their facility located in Turin, Italy.

These bulkheads, when joined together, will create a cylindrical structure. This structure will then be connected to the common berth mechanisms, which are essential for docking with the ISS and providing access through hatches.

Production Timeline and Integration

Thales Alenia, a joint venture between Thales Group of France and Leonardo of Italy, will commence welding operations on the first module this September and continue through next year.

The completed module is scheduled to be delivered to Axiom’s facilities in Texas in July 2023. There, Axiom will integrate the core systems and prepare it for its launch in 2024.

NASA's Role and Future Plans

In January 2020, NASA selected Axiom to develop the first commercial habitat for the ISS. Following the eventual decommissioning of the ISS, Axiom’s station will separate and serve as a commercial hub.

This station will support future missions and facilitate scientific experiments. It represents a key component of NASA’s strategy to foster the expansion of the low Earth orbit economy and the development of additional private orbital laboratories and commercial infrastructure.

Axiom Mission 1

Axiom is also preparing for the first entirely private mission to the ISS, currently scheduled for January 2022. Axiom Mission 1 will transport four private astronauts to space aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for an eight-day duration.