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  • Axiom Space commercial space station [Ax-1 launch today]

    Already selected by NASA, Axiom Space will start off by attaching a commercial module to ISS for commercial astronauts and researchers. Later it will detach and form the basis of a larger free-flying commercial space station.

    SpaceX's Crew Dragon will provide early transportation to ISS before the modules fly. Other crew vehicles could be added as they prove themselves.

    Concept (black/white modules at right)
    AXIOM ISS module.jpg

    HOUSTON – Today Axiom Space announced it is planning history’s first fully private human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station. Axiom has signed a contract with SpaceX for a Crew Dragon flight which will transport a commander professionally trained by Axiom alongside three private


    Axiom Space plans first-ever fully private human spaceflight mission to International Space Station

    HOUSTON – Today Axiom Space announced it is planning history’s first fully private human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station.

    Axiom has signed a contract with SpaceX for a Crew Dragon flight which will transport a commander professionally trained by Axiom alongside three private astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The mission, set to launch as soon as the second half of 2021, will allow the crew to live aboard the ISS and experience at least eight days of microgravity and views of Earth that can only be fully appreciated in the large, venerable station.

    “This history-making flight will represent a watershed moment in the march toward universal and routine access to space,” Axiom CEO Michael Suffredini said. “This will be just the first of many missions to ISS to be completely crewed and managed by Axiom Space – a first for a commercial entity. Procuring the transportation marks significant progress toward that goal, and we’re glad to be working with SpaceX in this effort.”

    This is the first of Axiom’s proposed “precursor missions” to the ISS envisioned under its Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA. Discussions with NASA are underway to establish additional enabling agreements for the private astronaut missions to ISS.

    Axiom plans to offer professional and private astronaut flights to ISS at a rate of up to two per year to align with flight opportunities as they are made available by NASA, while simultaneously constructing its own privately funded space station.

    “Since 2012, SpaceX has been delivering cargo to the International Space Station in partnership with NASA and later this year, we will fly NASA astronauts for the first time,” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell. “Now, thanks to Axiom and their support from NASA, privately crewed missions will have unprecedented access to the space station, furthering the commercialization of space and helping usher in a new era of human exploration.”

    With its team’s vast experience in human spaceflight, Axiom serves as a one-stop shop overseeing all elements of its missions. In addition to contracting with SpaceX for a Crew Dragon vehicle to transport its crew to the ISS, Axiom’s turnkey service for the mission – two days in transit and at least eight days aboard the ISS – includes training, mission planning, hardware development, life support, medical support, crew provisions, hardware and safety certifications, on-orbit operations and overall mission management.

    NASA recently selected Axiom’s proposal to attach its space station modules to the ISS beginning in the second half of 2024, ultimately creating a new ‘Axiom Segment’ which will expand the station’s usable and habitable volume. When the ISS reaches its retirement date, the Axiom complex will detach and operate as a free-flying commercial space station.

    By serving the market for immediate access to space while building the future platform for a global user base, Axiom is leading the development and settlement of low Earth orbit now and into the future.
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    Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 5 March 2020, 15:18.
    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

  • #2
    Axiom Space @Axiom_Space
    Building the International Space Station’s successor.

    Booking a Crew Dragon mission with @SpaceX for our first flight – the first fully private flight to ISS in history.

    This is the commercialization of Low Earth Orbit.

    https://www.axiomspace.com/post/axio...-space-station …

    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

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    • #3
      It would also enable the transfer of any tech they might want to keep from the ISS.

      A really good idea.

      Wish the Solar panels could be re-used from the ISS.
      PC-1 Fractal Design Arc Mini R2, 3800X, Asus B450M-PRO mATX, 2x8GB B-die@3800C16, AMD Vega64, Seasonic 850W Gold, Black Ice Nemesis/Laing DDC/EKWB 240 Loop (VRM>CPU>GPU), Noctua Fans.
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      • #4
        Originally posted by Evildead666 View Post
        It would also enable the transfer of any tech they might want to keep from the ISS.

        A really good idea.

        Wish the Solar panels could be re-used from the ISS.
        Modern arrays are much more efficient, lighter and there have been advances in deployment. Not to mention improvements in batteries and power management. Best to replace the whole system.
        Dr. Mordrid
        ----------------------------
        An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

        I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

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        • #5
          Axion Space CEO Mike Suffredini (former NASA ISS lead) sez;

          1) Axiom's first commercial launch to ISS will use SpaceX's Crew Dragon

          2) they'll announce the 3 passengers in few weeks

          3) NET date is October 2021

          No word yet on who'll pilot the mission. It'd be kick-ass if it were astronaut Garrett Reisman, who led SpaceX's Commercial Crew program before becoming a SpaceX consultant & professor at USC's Viterbi School of Engineering.
          Dr. Mordrid
          ----------------------------
          An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

          I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

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          • #6
            Axiom Space has chosen Crew Dragon for 3 more commercial Ax-(n) missions, now 4 in total. Ax-1 will use Crew Dragon Resilience, currently flying the ISS Crew-2 mission. NET January 2022.

            Down the line Ax-(n) missions may fly crews larger than the NASA ISS crew size of 4. Crew Dragon can handle up to 7.



            The timeline for Axiom module launches to ISS, and their separation to become a commercial Axiom space station before ISS is retired ~2028/2029.

            EPn_nx2XUAE7Kef (1).jpg

            After ISS, NASA & partners will use commercial stations. Besides Axiom's, Sierra Space (a spinoff of Sierra Nevada Corp.) They'll primarily be using Dream Chaser spaceplanes, but Dragons and Starship's are also an option.

            Sierra Nevada space station-2.jpg
            Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 2 June 2021, 21:05.
            Dr. Mordrid
            ----------------------------
            An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

            I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

            Comment


            • #7
              NASA announcement of the Axiom Ax-1 Crew Dragon mission to ISS. SpaceX has also signed on for Ax-2, 3 and 4.

              NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station to take place no earlier than January 2022.


              Marcia Smith @SpcPlcyOnline
              Michael Lopez-Alegria (Axiom, fmr NASA astronaut, commander of Ax-1): I've been evangelizing for democratization of space for yrs, so this is truly an honor for me to command this mission. Know we're setting the bar for future private mission. Start serious training next week.


              Marcia Smith @SpcPlcyOnline
              Q. Confident of January 2022? Which Crew Dragon?
              Suffredini: We are moving forward on schedule that has margin so have high degree of confidence in late January date. Could be Crew 2 vehicle but depends on how things move forward. Doesn't really matter.


              Michael Sheetz @thesheetztweetz (CNBC)
              Suffredini says Axiom does not yet know which Crew Dragon spacecraft the AX-1 mission will use, "it's possible we could be" flying with Endeavour.

              "The great thing about about SpaceX is any one of the spacecraft will work."

              Dr. Mordrid
              ----------------------------
              An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

              I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

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              • #8
                Axiom Ax-1 commercial ISS mission. After this comes four more Ax-(n) missions and the assembly of the Axiom Station at ISS. After completion Axiom Station becomes a free-flyer.

                February 21, 2022

                Crew Dragon Resilience, which just returned from Inspiration4.

                Kathy Lueders ✓ @KathyLueders (NASA)
                Great news! We are targeting Feb. 21 for the launch of the Axiom 1 mission to the @Space_Station – the first private astronaut mission to the microgravity laboratory with @Axiom_Space. Our work continues to open space to more people than ever. https://t.co/j9wubgrdbc

                Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 25 September 2021, 15:09.
                Dr. Mordrid
                ----------------------------
                An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                Comment


                • #9
                  First Axiom Space crew mission to ISS, leading up to the assembly of their commercial space station at ISS. Construction is targeting to begin in 2024, with completion about 2028.

                  Date: April 3, 2022
                  Time: 1313 Eastern (1713 UT)
                  Vehicle: C206 Endeavour
                  Pad: LC-39A KSC
                  Booster: 1062.5
                  Recovery: ASDS
                  Duration: 10 days

                  Commaner: Michael López-Alegría, former NASA astronaut

                  Pilot: Larry Connor

                  Mission Specialists: Mark Pathy, Eytan Stibbe (Israel)
                  Dr. Mordrid
                  ----------------------------
                  An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                  I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    The extended Crew Dragon / Axiom Space AX-1 webcast is already started.

                    Dr. Mordrid
                    ----------------------------
                    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

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