NASA Extends Partnership with Axiom Space for Fifth Private Astronaut Mission to ISS
Table of Contents
Axiom Space has secured a fifth mission order from NASA to send private astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), solidifying its position as a leader in commercial spaceflight. Axiom Mission 5 (Ax-5) is currently slated for launch no earlier than January 2027 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a planned duration of up to 14 days docked to the orbiting laboratory.
Expanding Access to Low-Earth Orbit
The award represents a continued commitment by NASA to foster a thriving commercial space ecosystem. According to a company release, this marks the fifth consecutive Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) award granted to Axiom Space, demonstrating the agency’s confidence in the company’s capabilities. The crew for Ax-5 is still being finalized, pending necessary approvals from both NASA and international partners, and will be announced at a later date.
“We are honored NASA awarded Axiom Space its fifth human spaceflight mission,” stated Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, Axiom Space President and CEO. “All four previous missions have expanded the global community of space explorers, diversifying scientific investigations in microgravity, and providing significant insight that is benefitting the development of our next-generation space station, Axiom Station.”
Voyager Technologies Joins Ax-5 Mission
Axiom Space is bolstering its team for Ax-5 by bringing on Voyager Technologies, Inc., to assist with payload integration. “Voyager’s role on Ax-5 reflects a proven mission-management heritage built through years of supporting commercial payloads on the space station,” explained Dylan Taylor, chairman & CEO, Voyager Technologies. “As commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) destinations mature, missions like Ax-5 will demonstrate the power of end-to-end execution.”
A Shift Towards Commercial Space Operations
The partnership underscores a broader transition in the United States, moving from government-led to commercially-enabled space operations. Axiom Space has quickly established itself as a key player in this new era, having successfully completed four missions to the ISS in the past four years. These missions have carried a total of 14 astronauts – both private citizens and government personnel – who collectively conducted over 160 scientific and research activities, alongside more than 100 outreach and media engagements.
Previous Axiom Space missions were led by experienced NASA veterans, including retired astronauts Michael López-Alegría, Axiom Space Chief Astronaut, and Peggy Whitson, Axiom Space Vice President of Human Spaceflight. These endeavors have broken new ground, notably including the first female astronaut from Saudi Arabia and the first astronaut from Turkey to journey to space. Furthermore, astronauts representing Saudi Arabia, India, Poland, and Hungary have, for the first time, lived and worked aboard the ISS through Axiom Space missions.
Groundbreaking Research in Microgravity
The scientific returns from these missions have been significant. Researchers have made strides in diabetes research, demonstrating real-time glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in the unique environment of microgravity. Additionally, a therapeutic drug for cancer research, tested during a previous mission, has since entered clinical trials. These advancements spurred the creation of the Axiom Space University Alliance, designed to identify key scientific opportunities and foster global research collaboration.
Axiom Space will continue to collaborate with leading science institutions and researchers, expanding opportunities for scientific advancement through future private astronaut missions. The company anticipates another year of progress, working with the international space community to harness the benefits of microgravity for human exploration, discovery, and the development of a robust space economy.
