Japanese Astronaut Koichi Wakata Joins Axiom Space

Axiom Space welcomes recently retired Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata as a newly appointed Astronaut and Chief Technical Officer for the Asia-Pacific region. Wakata, a veteran astronaut with decades of human spaceflight experience, will lead the expansion of Axiom Space's business and strategic presence in the Asia-Pacific region and contribute to the advancement of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.

"Koichi is a recognized leader in the global space community and a true pioneer of space exploration,” said Axiom Space Chief Astronaut Michael López-Alegría. “We’re honored and excited to have him join the team as a future commander of private astronaut missions, as well as a technical expert and leader, advancing commercial space development and promoting global partnership. I believe his incredible journey will be a source of inspiration for generations to come.”

Wakata contributed to the construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo.” He was the first astronaut to serve as JAXA’s ISS Program Manager and Vice President for Human Space Technology. He officially retired from JAXA on March 31, 2024, finishing out his career in the space agency as senior management for the ISS and lunar exploration programs.

Wakata’s astronaut career includes five missions, more than any Japanese astronaut, logging 504 days in space on four different spacecraft (Space Shuttle; Soyuz; SpaceX Crew Dragon; the ISS). His ISS space assignments include three long-duration missions, serving as the first Japanese ISS Commander, two spacewalks for a total of 14 hours and two minutes, and operations of four robotic systems.

Wakata holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, a Master of Science in Applied Mechanics and a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

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ABOUT AXIOM SPACE

Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

Axiom Space Teams with Astrolab to Advance Lunar Exploration

 Astronauts will use specialized tools to collect lunar samples, and FLEX rover will be equipped with storage containers to effectively transport the lunar samples while working on the lunar surface. (Courtesy of Axiom Space)

Astrolab, together with teammates Axiom Space and Odyssey Space Research, were awarded a NASA contract to advance the development of a Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) to enable Artemis astronauts to explore more of the Moon’s surface on future missions. The Astrolab team is one of three teams to win contract awards. Astrolab’s contract is worth up to $1.9 billion. Collectively, the three contract winners may be awarded task orders over the next 13 years with a total potential value of $4.6 billion. The contracts allow for two additional years for the completion of the services.

Axiom Space and Astrolab engineers will ensure the integration of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) with the FLEX rover to support unprecedented scientific experimentation and discovery on the lunar surface.

“We are excited to work with Astrolab on its Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), which aims to transform how humans explore the Moon," said Russell Ralston, vice president of Extravehicular Activity (EVA), Axiom Space. “Leveraging our expertise in EVA, Axiom Space is leading the way in designing EVA centric components of the rover, such as vehicle interfaces for both crew and spacesuits, and containers/attachments to carry EVA tools. This collaboration with Astrolab not only showcases our EVA expertise, but also underscores Axiom Space’s commitment to driving advancements in lunar exploration.”

Artemis astronauts wearing an AxEMU spacesuit will have greater mobility while navigating lunar operations aboard Astrolab’s FLEX rover. Astronauts will be able to sit, stand and drive the FLEX rover to effectively conduct science research on the lunar surface. (Courtesy of Axiom Space)

The rover and AxEMU spacesuit will enable two astronauts to work effectively collecting lunar soil samples and conducting geological surveys on the lunar surface, helping to grow our understanding of the Moon and build a long-term human presence. Future testing and training will ensure the Astrolab FLEX rover and AxEMU spacesuit integrate safely and effectively together.

In 2022, Axiom Space was awarded a NASA contract to build the space agency’s next-generation spacesuits that will be used for Artemis III lunar missions. The new spacesuit will provide astronauts with advanced capabilities for space exploration, while offering NASA affordable, commercially developed human systems needed to access, live, and work on and around the Moon. Evolving NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit design, the AxEMU is built to provide increased mobility and greater protection to withstand the harsh environment of the lunar south pole. The single architecture spacesuit will also integrate with specialized tools developed by Axiom Space for exploration and scientific opportunities.

The Axiom Space team continues progress on the AxEMU spacesuit. Stay tuned to axiomspace.com/axiom-suit for more updates.

This partnership with Axiom Space and Astrolab ensures that crewed operations for the AxEMU spacesuit will rise to the challenges of lunar operations. (Courtesy of Axiom Space)

Industry Executive Allen Flynt Joins Axiom Space as Chief Officer, Mission Services

Houston-based company Axiom Space announces that Allen Flynt has joined the Axiom Space executive team as chief officer, mission services, a new organization that will encompass mission integration and operations.

Flynt brings an impressive history to Axiom Space. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of growth for civil and commercial space at Redwire, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of space technology. Prior to that, Flynt held the position of vice president and general manager at Collins Aerospace, where he led a strategic growth initiative that nearly doubled the business’ revenue from $250 million to $500 million. His leadership extended to managing a robust human spaceflight mission portfolio, including critical programs such as the International Space Station (ISS), NASA’s Orion spacecraft, and Boeing’s Starliner.

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"We are excited to have Allen Flynt join our executive team," said Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space. "His decades of experience in the space industry will be a tremendous asset as we expand our global reach and bring more users to space. We eagerly anticipate Allen’s contributions in our pursuit of a thriving economy in low-Earth orbit.”

Beyond his commercial endeavors, Flynt had a remarkable 21-year career at NASA. His tenure included senior roles such as director of mission operations at Johnson Space Center, deputy center director at Ames Research Center, and director of the EVA (extravehicular activity) office. His contributions earned him both the Outstanding Leadership and Exceptional Achievement medals.

“It is an honor to join Axiom Space and contribute to this new chapter in commercial space exploration,” said Flynt. “In this transformative era, where access to space is expanding, our mission resonates with the aspirations of those eager to explore and realize the endless possibilities in microgravity. As I step into my new role, I am poised to champion and empower the visionary ideas and goals of nations and individuals around the world who look to venture beyond the confines of our planet.”

Flynt will lead Axiom Space’s human spaceflight operations as the company prepares for the launch and integration of its privately developed modules to the  ISS. His depth of knowledge will be particularly valuable as the company readies to operate Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.

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ABOUT AXIOM SPACE

Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

Axiom Space Partners with Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine on National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines

Axiom Space has partnered with the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, recipient of an inaugural U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines grant. The NSF Engines grant allows user-inspired technical challenges to be addressed in collaboration with partnered institutions, including Axiom Space, through Innovation, Translation, and Education Cores (ITECs), each focused on a broad area of unmet need.

The ITECs will focus on Development and Manufacturing, Biomaterials, Cell Biology, In-Space Manufacturing, and Workforce Development and will be located with Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T), Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), the RegenMed Development Organization (ReMDO), and Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC), respectively. In partnership with Axiom Space the In-Space ITEC will explore a new frontier for tissue and organ regeneration in microgravity, adding significant forward-thinking engagement and workforce development through the In-Space ITEC.

“This partnership with Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a globally recognized leader in tissue engineering, to leverage the benefits of microgravity provides an opportunity for breakthrough discoveries benefiting all of humanity,” said Jana Stoudemire, Director of In-Space Manufacturing, Axiom Space. “This NSF Engines grant further expands our existing NASA InSpace Production Applications (InSPA) collaboration and presence in the RegMed Hub. We are thrilled to work together with the WFIRM and ReMDO teams to elevate and transform the Winston-Salem region into a world-leading hub of innovation for regenerative medicine and in-space biomanufacturing.”  

“We are excited to work with Axiom Space in the formation of a regenerative medicine engine that provides access to Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station and successor to the International Space Station,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, Director of WFIRM. “Our partnership with Axiom Space is centered on the development of use inspired products, training and commercialization, thereby expanding job opportunities and economic development to our region that will support a future robust commercial space economy in low-Earth orbit.”

NSF Engines award provides $15 million for the first 2 years and up to $160 million for 10 years. “The inaugural NSF Engines awards demonstrate our enduring commitment to create opportunity everywhere and enable innovation anywhere,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “Through these NSF Engines, NSF aims to expand the frontiers of technology and innovation and spur economic growth across the nation through unprecedented investments in people and partnerships. NSF Engines hold significant promise to elevate and transform entire geographic regions into world-leading hubs of innovation.”

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ABOUT WAKE FOREST INSTITUTE FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is recognized as an international leader in translating scientific discovery into clinical therapies, with many world firsts, including the development and implantation of the first engineered organ in a patient. Over 500 people at the institute, the largest in the world, work on more than 40 different tissues and organs. A number of the basic principles of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine were first developed at the institute. WFIRM researchers have successfully engineered replacement tissues and organs in all four categories – flat structures, tubular tissues, hollow organs and solid organs – and 16 different applications of cell/tissue therapy technologies, such as skin, urethras, cartilage, bladders, muscle, kidney, and vaginal organs, have been successfully used in human patients. The institute, which is part of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, is located in the Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem, NC, and is driven by the urgent needs of patients. The institute is making a global difference in regenerative medicine through collaborations with over 500 entities and institutions worldwide, through its government, academic and industry partnerships, its start-up entities, and through major initiatives in breakthrough technologies, such as tissue engineering, cell therapies, diagnostics, drug discovery, biomanufacturing, nanotechnology, gene editing and 3D printing.

ABOUT AXIOM SPACE

Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.  

18 Things to Know About Axiom Mission 3

18 highlights from an 18-day mission on the International Space Station  

1. The Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew spent 18 days, about 435 hours, aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and orbited Earth approximately 346 times, covering about 9.1 million miles.

Ax-3 Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt, embarked on their awe-inspiring journey to the orbiting laboratory at 4:49 p.m. ET on Jan. 18. They flew to space aboard a SpaceX Dragon, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

After approximately 36-hours of spaceflight, the Dragon spacecraft and Ax-3 crew docked with the International Space Station at 5:42 a.m. ET on Jan. 20, while soaring over the Pacific Ocean.

Eighteen days later, the crew undocked from the ISS at 9:20 a.m. ET on Feb. 7 to begin their homeward journey, carrying with them a lifetime of unforgettable memories and invaluable scientific data.

The Ax-3 crew aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft soars over the Pacific Ocean, prior to docking with the ISS on Jan. 20.

2. Longest Axiom Space private astronaut mission

The Ax-3 mission holds the record as the longest Axiom Space Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) to the ISS. With 18 days docked to the station and a spaceflight duration of nearly 22 days. Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) concluded after 17 days.

These commercial missions are building the human experience, paving the way for future human spaceflight activities in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

The Ax-3 crew bonds over the views of our home planet from the cupola.

3. Ax-3 was the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the space station

In a historic venture, three countries – Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden through the European Space Agency (ESA) – united for Ax-3, with Axiom Space’s Chief Astronaut and Commander Michael López-Alegría leading the commercial mission, representing both the U.S. and Spain as a dual-citizen. The Ax-3 pilot was Italian Air Force Col. Walter Villadei, and the two mission specialists were Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt of Sweden. This all-European commercial astronaut mission showcased an unprecedented level of collaboration. As we unite to explore, we also celebrate the power of bridging cultural divides to advance human knowledge and prosperity.

Ax-3 astronauts proudly represent their country’s flags while aboard the Space Station.

4. Ax-3 was the first commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts

Ax-3 Pilot Walter Villadei and Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı were both government-sponsored astronauts with Villadei representing the Italian Air Force and Gezeravcı representing Türkiye. Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt represented Sweden as an ESA-sponsored project astronaut. Together, they proved that space knows no boundaries — where nations converge and unite to explore.

Ax-3 represents a ground-breaking venture that provides new pathways to access to the orbiting laboratory and perform microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach activities.

The Ax-3 crew shares a moment of camaraderie during their historic mission.

5. Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt blazed a trail as ESA’s first project astronaut  

ESA partnered with Axiom Space to send its first project astronaut to space, Marcus Wandt of Sweden. ESA’s project astronaut concept was introduced during its astronaut selection in 2022.

Project astronauts are hired as ESA staff on a fixed-term contract and have posts that are linked to a specific flight or project. These assignments can include missions of opportunity where ESA or its Member States want to send a European to space. The length of a project astronaut’s contract is directly connected to the duration of their mission.

Ax-3 Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt is seen with the Swedish flag high above Earth.

6. First Turkish astronaut went to space 

For Türkiye, Ax-3 represents a beacon of national pride as Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı etched his name in history as the first-ever Turkish astronaut. Türkiye sent the first Turkish astronaut to space as part of a larger effort to expand the country’s space exploration capabilities and establish a national human spaceflight program. As a fighter pilot with the Turkish Air Force, Gezeravcı has 15 years of flying experience on multiple aircraft and served as a captain with the Turkish Airlines for seven years. Through this mission, Gezeravcı inspired generations and fueled Türkiye’s pursuits in human spaceflight and microgravity research.

Ax-3 Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı displays the Turkish flag in the cupola to celebrate the nation’s historic mission.

7. Italy establishes role in the new era of commercial spaceflight

Italy’s involvement in Ax-3 has not only fortified its rich legacy in space exploration but also paved the way for groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements. This whole-of-country endeavor, led by the Italian Air Force, and supported by governments, institutions, and industries, is fueling Italy’s willingness to strengthen its role as a player in the burgeoning space economy.

Ax-3 provided Italy with a platform to seize opportunities presented by the commercial space industry. This has enabled Italy to accomplish significant goals in research and innovation, while continuing promoting the nation’s commitment towards safe and effective access to space.

Ax-3 Pilot Walter Villadei poses in front of the Italian flag as the country’s eighth astronaut to orbit Earth.

8. Ax-3 commander becomes the first astronaut to fly in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft for a second time

Michael López-Alegría commanded Axiom Space’s first private astronaut mission to the ISS and Ax-3 marked his second flight aboard a SpaceX Dragon, making him the first astronaut to have this unique distinction.

Ax-3 Commander Michael López-Alegría shows excitement as the first SpaceX Dragon spacecraft “frequent flyer.”

9. Ax-3 astronauts performed 54 different experiments

The Ax-3 crewmembers performed scientific experiments and demonstrations in LEO that were of high national importance. During the mission, they successfully completed a total of 54 research activities — to include 39 conducted aboard the space station — focusing on life, physical and Earth science, human research, and technology demonstrations.

Axiom Space partnered with many scientific organizations to continue understanding the effects of spaceflight on the human body, as well as explore opportunities of applied research in space to benefit health and medical treatments on Earth.

ESA’s first project astronaut, Ax-3 Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt, completes 80 hours of microgravity research and technology demonstrations during the mission.

10. Crew conducted a total of 28 outreach and media engagements

The Ax-3 crew actively engaged with the global community through 28 media and outreach events. These interactions involved news outlets, government officials, organizations, and key stakeholders from their countries. Notably, nine of these engagements were dedicated to educating and inspiring hundreds of students worldwide.

Ax-3 and Expedition 70 crew joins for a farewell ceremony, solidifying the completion of months of preparation and weeks of important work conducted on the ISS.

11. SpaceX Dragon carrying the Ax-3 crew returned to Earth with 577 pounds of payloads and cargo

The Ax-3 crew returned to Earth, bringing with them a substantial 577 pounds of payloads and cargo. This included over 60lbs of research hardware and biological samples, each with its own potential to unlock new scientific discovery.

Among the returned payloads were ‘mini brains’ or neural organoids which could provide valuable insights into neurodegenerative diseases. Also included were samples from the crew, which will aid researchers in understanding changes in genetic and molecular activity associated with microgravity. This knowledge is crucial for understanding how the human body adapts to space.

The payloads contained ovarian cells, which could help illuminate hormonal effects on reproductive cycles. Specially designed suits that monitor astronaut physiology were also part of the haul, capable of enhancing crew health and safety during future space explorations.

In addition, plant seedlings were returned, which could reveal their stress responses, benefiting both Earth-based agriculture and potential “space farming” on Mars. Algal samples were included, with researchers now planning to investigate the genetic effects of spaceflight, which could contribute to the development of advanced environmental control systems for future spacecraft.

This diverse and significant collection of payloads promises to advance our understanding of space and its effects on various forms of life, paving the way for groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements.

The Dragon spacecraft awaits recovery in the Atlantic Ocean shortly after the Ax-3 crew’s return to Earth.

12. First time studying metastatic breast cancer organoids on ISS

Led by the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, the Ax-3 crew conducted a study on metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that spread to other parts of the body), by investigating 3D structures called organoids — cancer organoids from patients with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer flew for the first time on Ax-3. The research conducted during the mission showed that the organoids, which included a bone marrow component to model the immune system, tripled in size in microgravity compared to growth rates seen on the ground. The results from this project, which has previously flown on Ax-1, Ax-2, and now Ax-3, are helping to identify a cancer “kill switch” (an RNA-editing enzyme) that can prevent cancers from growing and multiplying. The suite of experiments on Axiom Space missions are testing drugs on orbit that are FDA-approved for cancer, as well as a new cancer drug that is under development.

The team plans expanded studies on upcoming Axiom Space missions to continue this important work to accelerate understanding of the cancer disease process and develop drugs that can be used to treat patients in need.

Ax-3 Pilot Walter Villadei completes important research to benefit humans on Earth.

13. ItAF conjunction warning system demonstrated on orbit for first time  

Developed by the Italian Air Force (ItAF), the ISOC system (Italian Space Operations Centre) provides an updated space object catalogue and state-of-the-art algorithms for detecting potential events such as collisions. This system was operated in space for the first time during the Ax-3 mission as a proof-of-concept demonstration, showcasing how the system could provide near real-time collision warnings with minimal Earth ground support or even autonomously. The Ax-3 crew also tested the capability to monitor solar activity and report onboard events related to space weather by means of the ISOC web portal.

Keeping Earth’s future in focus while maintaining humanity’s presence in space necessitates next-generation technology to ensure safety while orbiting approximately 254 miles above the planet.

14. Türkiye brought its agricultural endeavors to space

Advanced genetic editing techniques were applied to plants to explore how altering the plant’s stress responses could improve agricultural practices on Earth, in space, or on other terrestrial bodies.

Microalgae’s response to microgravity and hardware that can culture it in space could help develop new life support systems, food, and even fuel for future space exploration applications.

This work builds on previous microgravity investigations showing how microgravity affects the growth, movement and genetics of plants, and could provide valuable insights into plant adaptation to extreme environments and help develop more resilient crops for agriculture.

Ax-3 Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı grows future possibilities for life in LEO.

15. Research was conducted to better understand formation of proteins implicated in Alzheimer's disease

Beta amyloid proteins, implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease, were ‘activated’ for different lengths of time on orbit, allowing researchers to understand how microgravity affects the folding and aggregation of the proteins over time in ways not possible on Earth. This experiment, promoted by Italian Space Agency (ASI), could provide insight into the formation of these proteins in neurodegenerative disorders and offer new avenues for therapeutic development.

Ax-3 Pilot Walter Villadei works with the Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer (MELFI) used to store research samples.

16. Progress made on understanding brain activity in space

During the Ax-3 mission, Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt documented his stress levels and stress recovery rate, tested his cognitive performance, and monitored his brain activity with a headcap that can record neural activity. Cortivision, the company that created the headcap, is developing innovative applications to analyze neural activity in space and on Earth using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).  Using the fNIRS cap aboard the ISS helps researchers better understand the impact of microgravity on brain activity and how to optimize human health and performance of astronauts on missions beyond Earth. 

Learn more about this Ax-3 study from Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low and Cortivision Chief Operating Officer Wojciech Broniatowski, here.

Ax-3 Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt wears the fNIRS cap to study his neural activity.

17. GiGi became a second-time flyer

Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop partnered for a second time to fly a furry fifth crew member alongside the Ax-3 astronauts. The teddy bear, named GiGi, took flight a second time, as the Ax-3 mission’s zero-gravity indicator wearing Axiom Space’s next-generation spacesuit. As the fifth crewmember of Ax-3, GiGi’s mission was to inspire children around the world to learn about space and consider careers in STEAM.  

Not only was Commander López-Alegría a second-time flyer in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, so was the Ax-3 zero-g indicator, GiGi.

18. Ax-3 represented important milestones for Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden

Ax-3 represented an important milestone for Türkiye as the nation commemorated the centennial anniversary of the Turkish Republic on October 29, 2023. On March 28, 2023, the Italian Air Force celebrated its centennial anniversary as one of the oldest air forces in the world.  

Sweden celebrated five centuries as an independent nation on June 6, 2023. Marcus Wandt became the second Swedish ESA astronaut in history to fly to the space station, embodying opportunity and freedom to explore the unknown.

The Ax-3 astronauts share excitement as they prepared to embark on their journey to space.

Watch the Ax-3 Crew Return Press Conference

Ax-3 Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt (Left). Pilot Walter Villadei, Commander Michael López-Alegría, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı (Right)

Following their return to Earth after spending nearly 22 days in space and 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) shared their unique experiences and insights during a press conference on Feb. 27. During the event, the Ax-3 crew highlighted the achievements of the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS.

In an historic venture, three countries — Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) — united for Ax-3 as the first commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts. The Ax-3 crew includes Commander Michael López-Alegría (U.S. and Spain), Pilot Walter Villadei (Italian Air Force), and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı (Türkiye) and Marcus Wandt (Sweden and ESA).  

Watch the press conference below.

Axiom Space Astronaut Missions are Building Human Experience, Opportunity in LEO

Axiom Mission 1 crew (left), Axiom Mission 2 crew (top right), Axiom Mission 3 crew (bottom right)

Axiom Space’s inaugural trio of commercial space missions to the International Space Station (ISS) are a shining example of global progress, international collaboration, and the beginning of the LEO economy in space. These missions have showcased the diverse potential of human spaceflight in the age of commercial space exploration, with crews representing eight different nations, and, for the first time on Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), the European Space Agency (ESA). Over the course of these missions, crewmembers completed over 75 outreach engagements and media events and conducted over 105 research-related activities with more than 50 research partners from around the world.

The first three Axiom Space missions to the ISS included astronauts from the U.S., Spain, Israel, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden with the support of ESA. In addition, Axiom Space signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ESA and the UK Space Agency last year, setting the stage for future commercial opportunities in human spaceflight.

"As the commercial space industry's only full-service orbital mission provider, Axiom Space is deeply invested in making space more accessible and affordable,” said Tejpaul Bhatia, Chief Revenue Officer, Axiom Space . “Our mission, fueled by our own investments, is opening up low-Earth orbit to both national and private astronauts, and is developing sustainable business models that mitigate the current high costs of human spaceflight. Despite the complexities of those costs, our efforts are grounded in strategic collaborations that not only help determine pricing but also foster innovation and meaningful science in microgravity.

“The journey to space, currently priced in the mid-$60-million range per seat for a 10-day mission, is part of our broader vision to transform LEO into a global marketplace of discovery and innovation,” explained Bhatia. “While the future market dynamics are uncertain, our dedication remains fixed on creating value by expanding access and supporting cutting-edge research that has the potential to enhance life on Earth and beyond. At Axiom Space, we're doing much more than executing missions on board the ISS; we're building the economic foundation for a future where space is open for business, promising benefits for all of humanity."

Each Axiom Space astronaut mission lays the groundwork for the on-orbit construction and operation of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station, which is poised to serve customers around the world. These missions are a pathway to developing the essential skills and integration needed to spearhead human spaceflight activities in LEO. The missions also foster important international relationships, with traditional and non-traditional industries, which will broaden the range of opportunities and develop new markets.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Axiom Space to Hold Ax-3 Crew Press Conference Following Return from Space Station

Following their return to Earth after spending nearly 22 days in space and 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) are set to share their unique experiences and insights during a press conference on Feb. 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. CT. This event will highlight the achievements of the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS.

In an historic venture, three countries — Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden through the European Space Agency (ESA) — united for Ax-3 as the first commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts. The Ax-3 crew includes Commander Michael López-Alegría (U.S. and Spain), Pilot Walter Villadei (Italian Air Force), and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı (Türkiye) and Marcus Wandt (Sweden and ESA).

During the mission, the Ax-3 crew lived and worked aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting 54 different experiments and 28 media and outreach engagements. In addition, data collected on the ground before and after the mission as well as on orbit will improve understanding of human physiology on Earth and in microgravity. This human research will help prepare for longer-duration missions off the planet.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Ax-3 crew aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 18 at 3:49 p.m. CT. After undocking from the ISS on Feb. 7, the Ax-3 crew safely splashed down off the coast of Florida on Feb. 9 at 7:30 a.m. CT.

AX-3 CREW RETURN PRESS CONFERENCE
Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 10:00am CT

Participants include:

• Michael López-Alegría, Ax-3 Commander, Axiom Space, U.S. and Spain

• Walter Villadei, Ax-3 Pilot, Italian Air Force

• Alper Gezeravcı, Ax-3 Mission Specialist, Türkiye

• Marcus Wandt, Ax-3 Mission Specialist, ESA/Sweden

Media must register to participate and RSVP by 12:00pm CT on Feb. 26. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the press conference.

Register here for the Ax-3 crew return press conference: https://axiomspace.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1prafxstT8WkCDk72IlREA

Axiom Space Joins Space Industry Leaders at the House Science Space and Technology Committee Hearing

Today, Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Chief Government and External Relations Officer of Axiom Space, testified in a critical hearing in front of the House Science Space and Technology Committee – “ISS and Beyond: The Present and Future of American Low-Earth Orbit Activities” – to address the importance of the United States maintaining a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit.

Watch the testimony here and read the written testimony of Dr. Dittmar here.

Axiom Space Announces Key Milestone with Artist, Photographer Satoshi Takamatsu

Axiom Space has taken a significant step forward in its collaboration with an artist and photographer Satoshi Takamatsu, representing art collective “WE,” signing an agreement to reserve him a seat on a future long-duration human spaceflight mission.

(Left to right) Tejpaul Bhatia, Axiom Space Chief Revenue Office and Satoshi Takamatsu, representing art collective “WE”. (Credit: Axiom Space)

The reservation came with a personal deposit and a commitment from Takamatsu to raise the additional funds needed to secure his seat with commercial support from key industry partners. As part of the agreement, Takamatsu plans to focus his contributions to the mission on the arts – photography to be exact.  

"The progress made by photography, videography, and Virtual Reality (VR) technology makes it possible to replicate reality,” said Takamatsu. “It is now possible to shoot and reproduce imagery with standards that go beyond the limitations of the human eye. In this mission, I envision shooting the Earth in three different ways – 300 megapixels for still photography, 24K for videography, and 360 VR videography for HMD beyond 60PPD. In addition, these images could be upscaled to super-resolution using AI-based technology.

"Besides resolution,” he added, “we also need to look at dynamic range, frame rate, color range, and depth to recreate an amount of visual data that is as close to reality as possible."

Takamatsu’s reservation not only signifies a potential shift from STEM- to STEAM-focused on-orbit missions but also how private astronauts can shed new light on the world from space with a sharper focus and a different perspective.

"People's minds change when they look back at this planet from space,” explained Takamatsu. “They look beyond nationality, ethnicity, or religion. They intuit the importance of sustainability and hope for peace on Earth. This phenomenon is called the ‘Overview Effect.’ Out of the millions of photographs and videos taken of Earth from Space, none of them have truly been able to replicate this ‘Overview Effect,’ as there has never been a mission designed with that objective in mind. This is the gift I wish to give to humanity."

Tejpaul Bhatia, Axiom Space Chief Revenue Officer, offered that Axiom Space is looking forward to working with Satoshi on a future mission. He said, “With this agreement as the initial foundation, we will work together to build a comprehensive mission plan that supports an imagery-centered commercial astronaut effort on orbit for the benefit of all.”

About Axiom Space
Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

About Satoshi Takamatsu

Born in 1963, artist and photographer. After graduating from the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Tsukuba, Takamatsu joined Dentsu, the largest advertising agency in Japan. In 2005, he founded GROUD, a creative agency, and became CEO and Chief Creative Officer. Takamatsu has won many international advertising awards, including Gold Lions at the Cannes Advertising Festival. In 2002, he organized public viewings of the World Cup at the Tokyo National Stadium, the first of its kind to be officially endorsed by FIFA. He was also the first in the world to organize the filming of a TV commercial on the International Space Station for a Japanese beverage brand in 2001. Other commercials filmed in space include "No Borders," with an anti-war theme, and "Freedom," with themes of planetary sustainability and opposition to a future-controlled society, both for the Cup Noodles brand. Although they were product advertisements, these works conveyed strong social messages. Takamatsu announced his retirement from the advertising industry in 2015. He then spent eight months in Star City, Russia, undergoing cosmonaut training. He is currently a representative of Space Films and works as a photographer and artist. In 2014, Takamatsu presented his works at the exhibition "Mission [SPACE x ART] - Beyond Cosmologies" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.  In 2020, he organized his personal exhibition "Failure". In 2022, he founded an art collective WE for the space project. For more information, please contact WE PR team at: we-pr@vectorinc.co.jp

Ax-3 Astronauts Splashdown, Completing First All-European Commercial Astronaut Mission to ISS

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Ax-3 crew splashed down off the coast of Daytona, FL on Feb. 9.

After undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, Feb. 7, the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew safely splashed down off the coast of Florida aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 9, 2024. The Ax-3 crew’s return officially concludes the first all-European commercial astronaut mission and Axiom Space’s third crewed mission to the ISS.

The Ax-3 crewmembers include Commander Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and the European Space Agency (ESA).

“The successful return of our Ax-3 astronauts signifies more than just the completion of a human spaceflight mission; it marks a pivotal moment in commercial space exploration and significant milestone for Europe’s pursuits in low-Earth orbit,” said Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini. “Axiom Space’s first three commercial missions to the ISS are a testament to international advancement in space, with diverse crews representing eight nations, as well as — for the first time on Ax-3 — the European Space Agency. The success of these missions is an important step along our journey toward Axiom Station, underscoring our continuous efforts to expand access to low-Earth orbit.”

Ax-3 crewmembers Marcus Wandt (left), Walter Villadei, Micheal López Alegrīa, and Alper Gezeravcı (right) wave hello after the Dragon hatch opened on Recovery boat Shannon.

During their 18-day mission docked to the ISS, the Ax-3 crew lived and worked aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting more than 30 different experiments and more than 50 outreach engagements. Human research data collected on the ground before and after the mission, as well as in flight, will improve understanding of human physiology on Earth and in microgravity.

Ax-3 demonstrates that the European community of space-faring nations are pioneers in the burgeoning commercial space industry. The crew and the governments they represent are taking bold steps into a new era of leadership in low-Earth orbit.

Ax-3 celebrates many firsts: it was the first commercial spaceflight mission comprised of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts; Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı became the first-ever Turkish astronaut; and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt was the first ESA project astronaut to fly on a commercial space mission.

Ax-3 is the third in a series of proposed Axiom Space human spaceflight missions, marking a critical milestone toward the realization of Axiom Station — the world’s first commercial space station.

Axiom Space is playing an important role in offering human spaceflight opportunities to the larger international community. These missions are enabling governments, individuals, researchers, academic institutions, and organizations across the world to conduct comprehensive scientific research, technology demonstrations, and outreach engagements in the unique environment of microgravity.

Axiom Space’s first three missions to the ISS included crewmembers from the U.S., Spain, Israel, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden, with the support of ESA. In addition, last year, Axiom Space signed an MOU with ESA and the UK Space Agency to explore future human spaceflight opportunities.

Axiom Space plans to launch its fourth mission, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), to the ISS no earlier than October 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

Boryung Corporation, Axiom Space Announce Joint Venture to Revolutionize Space Industry in Korea

Boryung Corporation, Axiom Space Announce Joint Venture to Revolutionize Space Industry in Korea

Boryung Corporation, a pioneer in innovative solutions based in South Korea, and Axiom Space, a leader in commercial human spaceflight and architect of the world’s first commercial space station, are proud to announce the formation of a joint venture aiming to leverage the unique strengths of both companies to advance the commercialization of low-Earth orbit (LEO) and push the boundaries of space exploration.

Through the JV, Boryung and Axiom Space will jointly explore business opportunities related to the future Axiom Station. The newly established JV will conduct all projects that Axiom Space will pursue in collaboration with South Korean companies and government and will have exclusive domestic rights for all operations utilizing Axiom Space’s technology and space station infrastructure in LEO.

The joint venture, named BRAX Space Corporation, will be headquartered in South Korea. The collaboration will focus on various businesses, including research and development, new initiatives in the space industry, and joint production efforts.

Jay Kim, Chairman & CEO of Boryung Corporation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, "This joint venture with Axiom Space marks a significant milestone in our commitment to innovation and excellence. We are excited to combine our expertise with Axiom's to create unprecedented opportunities in the space industry throughout Korea."

Jack Lim, Head of New Portfolio Investments (NPI) Group in Boryung, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BRAX. Lim has been overseeing Boryung's space business, including its investment in Axiom Space. In addition, Ryan Lee has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Lee joined Boryung in 2023 and leads the Strategic Operations Group, which is responsible for investment review, finance, accounting, and legal affairs.

"The launch of BRAX is significant in that it opens the way for Korea to utilize the space station for space exploration, scientific research, and commercial purposes," said Lim. "As access to low-Earth orbit expands, the demand to utilize space platforms for research and experimentation will continue to grow."

BRAX Space Corporation will initiate its operations by focusing on several key areas, including research and experimentation platform services on Axiom Station, Korean human spaceflight projects, and joint development of space station modules.

"We have established a foothold to promote projects exclusively in South Korea with Axiom Space, which has the strongest competitiveness in the private sector in terms of LEO, the gateway to the Moon and Mars," Kim said. "Beyond our financial investment in Axiom Space, we will continue to develop our relationship as close strategic partners.”

Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space, added, “Boryung has become a vital partner over the years and is quickly asserting leadership within the space industry in Korea by promoting innovation, advancing research, and unlocking the potential for large-scale, on-orbit manufacturing. We are pleased to join Boryung in the venture to shape the future of LEO for their nation.”

About Boryung Corporation:
Boryung is a healthcare investment company founded in 1957 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Following the company’s mission to become an indispensable contributor to human health, the company has expanded their business portfolio to the space healthcare industry. Recognizing space as a new realm for growth, Boryung acknowledges the increasing number of individuals anticipated to embark on prolonged space missions, highlighting the importance of ensuring human survival in the hostile space environment. Hence, the company believes there will be substantial opportunities to foster new technologies and meet the emerging needs in this field. For more information about Boryung, visit www.boryung.com.

About Axiom Space:
Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

Testing of Next-Gen Spacesuit Underway

Astronauts returning to the Moon in September 2026 as part of the Artemis III mission will wear an Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) to enable more exploration of the lunar surface than ever before. This next-gen spacesuit will allow astronauts to walk on the Moon for the first time in over 50 years.

The AxEMU spacesuit is designed to make it easier for astronauts to kneel down and work on the surface of the Moon, a big improvement from the Apollo era. (Credit: Axiom Space)

The AxEMU spacesuit will be ready to meet the complex challenges of the lunar south pole and help grow our understanding of the Moon in order to enable a long-term presence there.

Since the AxEMU prototype unveiling in March 2023, Axiom Space has made substantial progress in suit design and testing. The suit design is beyond the preliminary design review point with NASA and will enter the critical design review phase in June 2024.

Working on the surface of the Moon will require using specialized tools to recover lunar rocks for extensive scientific research. (Credit: Axiom Space)

Astronauts will use a lunar hammer and chisel (shown here) designed to chip off rock samples. (Credit: Axiom Space)

In 2024 and 2025, the suit will be tested in a variety of ways to mimic the space environment. This includes testing at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and in thermal vacuum chambers that expose the suit to the temperatures and vacuum experienced in space. This testing will aid engineers in ensuring that the suit is safe and complies with NASA requirements.

The AxEMU spacesuit will provide astronauts with advanced capabilities for space exploration, while offering NASA affordable, commercially developed human systems needed to access, live, and work on and around the Moon. Evolving NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit design, the AxEMU is built to provide increased mobility and greater protection to withstand the harsh environment of the lunar south pole. The AxEMU spacesuit will also integrate with specialized tools developed by Axiom Space for exploration and scientific opportunities.

To ensure the suit can accommodate a wide range of crew members, Axiom Space has conducted many assessments with different subjects, including engineers and astronauts.

The Axiom Space AxEMU spacesuit will be able to withstand the full range of temperatures at the lunar south pole. It will be able to endure the coldest temperatures, in the permanently shadowed regions, for at least two hours. 

The team continues to work closely with NASA ensuring the spacesuit will meet all the requirements for the Artemis III mission. Our experts are actively engaged in innovative work to develop and refine spacesuit technologies to ensure a high level of safety, reliability, and performance in the design.

Axiom Space is truly building for beyond with the development of this next-generation spacesuit. Stay tuned to axiomspace.com/axiom-suit for more updates.

Axiom Space Partners with Kepler Space and Skyloom to Operationalize the World’s 1st Orbital Data Center

The Houston-based company Axiom Space has entered agreements with Kepler Communications US Inc. and Skyloom Global Corp. to integrate and demonstrate high data rate Optical Intersatellite Links (OISLs) on the first module of Axiom Space’s commercial space station – Axiom Station. In parallel, the Axiom Space team is building the world’s first scalable, cloud technology-enabled, commercial orbital data center to be hosted on Axiom Station.

(Credit: Axiom Space)

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The development of this first tranche of orbital data center capability (ODC T1) will support the transformation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) into a global space marketplace by maturing the necessary technologies and infrastructure for large-scale and secure space-based data processing. One of the key features of the orbital data center is “Earth independence” – the ability to provide in-space cloud services without the need to connect back to terrestrial cloud infrastructure. ODC T1 will help operationalize data processing and management applications for Axiom Space’s customers, while setting the stage for lunar and Mars use cases where on-premises data processing will be required to support exploration and economic development beyond Earth’s orbit.

The effort with Kepler and Skyloom will enable demonstration of OISLs to allow for data to be transmitted to and from the orbital data center via the Kepler and Skyloom relay constellations. The OISLs will allow for up to 10 gigabits-per-second data throughput and meet Space Development Agency (SDA) interoperability standards.

“This is a pivotal moment for in-space data processing infrastructure and capabilities,” said Jason Aspiotis, Axiom Space’s Director of In-Space Infrastructure & Logistics. “For the past two years, our team has been demonstrating proof of concepts and developing use cases for in-space data processing infrastructure. The ODC T1 effort and collaboration with Kepler and Skyloom will help us realize our vision of building and operationalizing the world’s first orbital data center. The data center will provide unprecedented data storage and processing capacity in a commercial, scalable, and economical way to aid microgravity researchers, Axiom Station users, and satellites in LEO, medium-Earth orbit (MEO) and Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) through optical communications relays and via the extended mesh network.”

In preparation for the ODC T1 deployment, Axiom Space plans to install a smaller data processing prototype aboard the International Space Station to conduct testing and demonstrate initial capabilities. The prototype is planned for launch in 2024 and will test applications in artificial intelligence and machine learning, data fusion, and space cybersecurity.

“We will work to validate use cases at a sub scale and, at the same time, obtain flight heritage on the underlying data center hardware,” said Aspiotis. “Having a prototype on the ISS will serve as a building block toward the roughly half-cubic-meter sized data server rack we plan to launch by 2027.”

 Axiom Space is also actively conducting demonstrations on the AWS Snowcone currently aboard the space station, proving the basic utility of a data center in space and implementing processes and procedures for future orbital data center operations.

 “Kepler’s SDA-compatible space relay network leverages the latest technological advances in optical communications,” said Steve Bennett, Chief Operating Officer for Kepler. “We are pleased to partner with Axiom Space to provide 24-7 on-orbit capabilities to demonstrate the benefits our low latency, high-throughput data relay network can provide Axiom Space’s orbital data center. With the proliferation of spacecraft in LEO, the demand for continuous, high-capacity connectivity on orbit continues to grow. The Kepler Network is designed to help close the business case for commercial space stations, Earth observation companies, and other space operators requiring low latency and high bandwidth connectivity.”

 “Skyloom is excited to partner with Axiom Space,” said Eric Moltzau, Skyloom’s Chief Commercial Officer.  “This demonstration will prove the competitive advantages of our SkyCompass-1 optical communications network, which we are jointly developing and deploying with Space Compass and which will offer services beginning in 2025. This project with Axiom Space will illustrate SkyCompass-1's low latency, high bandwidth network capabilities.

 “Skyloom is a network service provider and space-based telecom equipment manufacturer,” Moltzau added. “We build all the infrastructure to support network services and we see the partnership with Axiom Space as a tremendous opportunity to grow together to provide these services for all kinds of commercial and government users.  This demonstration is the start of laying the initial infrastructure for a Commercial Space Internet to flourish in near earth orbit and on a planetary scale.”

Once Axiom Station Hab One (AxH1) is connected to the ISS, the data center hardware and optical communications terminals will be flown to AxH1 for module integration in preparation for initial testing. ODC T1 is planned to launch by 2027. The testing expects to prove out an array of capabilities, including 24/7 and high-bandwidth data connectivity between Axiom Station via a LEO and GEO relay network back to Earth; real-time voice and video capabilities for Axiom Station and its crew; high-speed data transport from experiments and payloads; connectivity and interoperability between LEO and GEO satellites with AxH1 as a network translation node; and orbital data center use cases in Earth-independent data storage and fusion, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and in-space cybersecurity. Once testing and evaluation are complete, the ODC T1 will be ready for real-time operations on orbit in support of Axiom Station customers and the mesh network.

The commercialization of LEO promises to stimulate new markets, drive innovations and fuel new ideas to advance civilization. The development of space-based data centers, equipped with cloud technology and advanced cyber security, is an integral part of creating a sustainable communications ecosystem capable of supporting human spaceflight, exploration, and commerce in space to generate economic and social value for the world.

About Kepler

Kepler Communications US Inc. is a satellite telecommunications provider on a mission to build the Internet for space. Incorporated in 2015, Kepler provides real-time, continuous connectivity for space communications, abolishing barriers to make space-generated data universally available. The Kepler Network will initially service low earth orbit (LEO) and plans to provide connectivity services to space missions in LEO, MEO, GEO, and beyond. Kepler is building a global company to enable communications for the future space economy. To learn more about Kepler Communications US Inc., visit www.kepler.space.

About Skyloom

Skyloom is a Broomfield, CO-based telecommunications innovator founded with the mission to develop, deploy, and operate one of the fundamental pieces of tomorrow's space-based telecommunication infrastructure for the provision of data transport services on a planetary scale. They leverage deep heritage in space optical communications to enable real time data transfer so that customers and decision makers can leverage perishable information. www.skyloom.co

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

Axiom Space Goes All-In on AWS for Its Enterprise Cloud Services Needs on Earth

Houston-based company Axiom Space to rely on AWS terrestrial services (cloud, database, security, high-performance compute) to support its operations, business, and engineering teams

Axiom Space, a leader in commercial human spaceflight and architect of the world’s first commercial space station, today announced that it is going all-in on Amazon Web Services (AWS) in support of its terrestrial information technology (IT) infrastructure. By migrating its enterprise IT to AWS, Axiom Space looks to provide its engineers, ground operations, and business development teams the terrestrial cloud infrastructure necessary to enable development of its next-generation commercial space station, Axiom Station.

Credit: Axiom Space

In parallel to going all-in on AWS for enterprise IT needs, Axiom Space and AWS will continue to collaborate on validating cloud-based hardware and software capable of supporting in-space workloads. These include cutting-edge scientific research and discovery that Axiom Space supports on-orbit to benefit new pharmaceuticals development, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and other areas of study in the microgravity environment. Axiom Space and AWS are also collaborating on the development and demonstration of in-space cybersecurity solutions that set the foundation for operating a cybersecure Axiom Station.

Christian Maender, EVP of Space Commercialization for Axiom Space said, “We are very excited to expand our collaboration with AWS. Going all-in on enterprise IT needs provides us the necessary cloud services foundation on Earth to support our engineering, operations, and business teams as they build Axiom Station and the markets it will serve. We remain excited to collaborate with AWS on advancing the state of the art of cloud infrastructure on-orbit as we build a multi-cloud and multi-user environment for our future space station customers.”

In order to support a thriving global space economy in low-Earth orbit, Axiom Station will require cloud-based technology to quickly and reliably analyze data on orbit, closer to where the data is collected, even when operating with limited bandwidth and connectivity. As a first step on this path, Axiom Space and AWS worked together to integrate and operate an AWS Snowcone device on the International Space Station as part of the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) in April 2022. Together, the teams used the device’s powerful edge processing capability to apply a sophisticated machine learning (ML)-based object recognition model and quickly analyze images of various scientific experiments on orbit. Today the AWS Snowcone – a small, rugged, and secure device offering edge computing, data storage, and data transfer on-the-go, in austere environment with little or no connectivity – remains on orbit and Axiom Space continues to demonstrate unique use cases in edge processing, artificial intelligence (AI), ML, and in-space cybersecurity with its partners (Axiom Space Collaborates to Advance In-Space Data Processing and Cybersecurity Solutions — Axiom Space).

“Axiom Space is using AWS’s global infrastructure and a broad and deep portfolio of cloud services to deliver revolutionary solutions to the space industry,” said Dave Levy, AWS vice president, worldwide public sector. “We are proud to support Axiom Space’s vision to incorporate advanced cloud-based technology into future missions supporting on-orbit research, scientific discovery, and space exploration.”

Beyond going all-in on AWS for its enterprise IT needs, and demonstrating edge compute capabilities via the AWS Snowcone on the ISS, Axiom Space and AWS intend to continue exploring:

• Using AWS for modeling and simulation in support of Axiom Station development

• Equipping Axiom Space’s mission control center (MCC-A) with cloud capabilities

• The development and use of digital engineering capabilities

• Applying AI/ML for autonomy specific use cases around Axiom Station safety, monitoring, and mission operations

• Working together with other industry teams (e.g., Energy, Health, Telecommunications, Advanced Manufacturing) to help build and mature the in-space economy

• Deploying and operationalizing AWS cloud capabilities as part of Axiom Space’s multi-cloud and multi-user Orbital Data Center

ABOUT AXIOM SPACE

Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com. 

UK Space Agency and Axiom Space Sign Agreement on Plans for Historic Human Spaceflight Mission

Tejpaul Bhatia, Chief Revenue Officer at Axiom Space (left) and Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive Officer at the UK Space Agency (Credit: UK Space Agency)  

Astronauts from the United Kingdom could fly to space on a future Axiom Space mission, thanks to a new agreement signed between the UK Space Agency and the Houston-based space company.

The agreement between the UK Space Agency and Axiom Space sets out plans for the two organizations to work together to pursue a commercially sponsored, UK astronaut mission. The announcement comes as Science Minister George Freeman is due to open the London Stock Exchange today, where he will speak about opportunities to bring further investment into the UK space sector.

On this future flight, the UK astronauts would launch to space, spending up to two weeks on orbit to carry out scientific research, demonstrate new technologies, and participate in education and outreach activities.

The mission would build on the UK government’s National Space Strategy and the UK Science and Technology Framework, which highlights the important contribution of international relationships to the UK’s capabilities and identifies five critical technologies: Artificial Intelligence, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors, and quantum technologies.

George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said:

“The prospect of a historic UK mission with Axiom Space has the potential to inspire a whole new generation to reach for the stars, while supporting our efforts to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world, so I look forward to seeing the next stage of this exploratory work develop.

“We want to put the UK at the forefront of the global race for commercial space investment, continue to support scientists and engineers to test new technologies and carry out important research and, ultimately, bring the benefits back to people and businesses across the country.”

Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space CEO, added:

“Axiom Space is looking forward to working with the UK Space Agency on a future human spaceflight mission. With this agreement as the initial foundation, we will build a comprehensive mission plan in support of the UK’s national and agency objectives to advance its capabilities in space exploration and discovery. Together, we will look to harness the benefits of microgravity and help push the boundaries of innovation to advance our civilization.” 

The UK Space Agency is calling on UK universities, research institutions and industry to share their ideas for experiments and technology demonstrators which could be conducted by the crew on orbit over a two-week period.

The UK Space Agency is also interested in ideas from UK organizations for a national space education and public engagement program alongside the mission to highlight the diverse range of rewarding careers available in the space sector, promote STEM uptake, and highlight the powerful role of space in the lives of UK citizens.

Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: 

“This agreement paves the way for UK astronauts to conduct scientific research in orbit, and to inspire millions of us here on Earth. It takes thousands of people to complete a crewed space mission and return the astronauts safely home, highlighting the huge variety of careers available in the UK space sector right now. There is much to do, and this agreement is the springboard for the UK Space Agency, Axiom Space and the mission sponsors to assess how we best push forward the frontiers of knowledge and innovation and showcase the power of space to improve lives on Earth.”

The UK Space Agency is working with Axiom Space on plans for a commercial mission with the full support of the European Space Agency.

Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA, said:

“ESA is working on Europe’s preparation of the post-ISS era and the development of a sustainable commercial space economy in Low Earth Orbit. This unique flight will allow ESA to enhance its actions with new partnership schemes and implement together with the United Kingdom a series of research experiments, which will further deepen the knowledge on exploration in and for Europe.”

UK Space President, Dr. Alice Bunn, said:

“Since the first astronauts landed on the Moon over 50 years ago, human spaceflight has captured the imagination of billions of people. But space is no longer for the privileged few; we have witnessed incredible growth in the application of space technology and data to everyday lives, and we recognize the immense and specific value of humans being able to push the boundaries of science and technology operating within the unique conditions of space.

“For this reason, the agreement between the UK Space Agency and Axiom Space is an incredibly exciting one, providing the potential to extend the already significant innovation that our UK space sector is spearheading.”

Axiom Space is the commercial space industry’s only full-service orbital mission provider, conducting end-to-end crewed missions to the International Space Station. The expert team at Axiom Space is helping nations and organizations build human spaceflight programs, develop astronaut selection processes, and provide the expertise needed to expand the international community of space explorers to a larger and more diverse representation of humanity.

Ax-3 Mission to Expand Government-Sponsored Research in Low-Earth Orbit

Ax-3 Pilot Walter Villadei practicing research operations in the HERA glovebox.

Axiom Space announced today further details on the groundbreaking science research and technology demonstrations planned for the upcoming Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) to the International Space Station (ISS). The Ax-3 crewmembers will represent their nations and perform scientific experiments and demonstrations in low-Earth orbit (LEO) that are of high national importance. 

Axiom Space is also partnering with many scientific organizations to continue understanding the effects of spaceflight on the human body as well as explore opportunities of applied research in space to benefit health and medical treatments on Earth.

The Ax-3 astronauts will conduct more than 30 different experiments during their mission. Human research data collected on the ground before and after the mission as well as in flight will improve understanding of human physiology on Earth and in microgravity. Furthermore, this mission will harness opportunities for industrial advancements and develop technologies for humanity’s progress.

Unique to this mission, there is a strong focus on scientific portfolios led by European countries represented on the Ax-3 mission, to include Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). Commercial and academic partnership activities also remain a strong focus for the Ax-3 mission, as Axiom Space leads in building a global research community and robust and sustainable economic ecosystem in LEO. 

The Ax-3 crewmembers are Commander Michael López-Alegría of the US/Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden/ESA.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Ax-3 crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft to the ISS no earlier than January 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

SELECT AX-3 MISSION INVESTIGATIONS  

Italy

The Italian portfolio consists of experiments led by the Italian Air Force (ItAF) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), involving Italian universities, research centers, and companies wishing to leverage microgravity for biological and technological testing and development.

Evaluation of Endothelial Function in Personnel Exposed to Microgravity During Orbital Flight Activity
As human research led by ItAF, the endothelial function experiment will use a technique to assess the vascular health and reactivity of astronauts before, during, and after spaceflight. The results will be compared to measurements from non-orbital flight personnel. The goal of this project is to better understand how vascular health changes during space missions to enhance knowledge related to future long-duration human spaceflight missions.

Amyloid Aggregation Upgrade
Led by ASI, this project builds on previous work in microgravity to investigate the aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins, which are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Microgravity can disrupt the normal folding and unfolding of proteins, leading to the formation of misfolded proteins that are more likely to aggregate. Analyzing these proteins in microgravity provides an opportunity to better understand the mechanism of their aggregation and the formation of amyloid plaques, which can ultimately help develop new treatments. The research could also help identify potential risks for neurodegeneration for long-duration human spaceflight missions.

Italian Space Operations Centre (ISOC) services for ISS
The ISOC services for ISS experiment aims to improve real-time space awareness with decentralized capabilities, providing an up-to-date space object catalogue and state-of-the-art algorithms to manage space safety. Using the systems onboard the ISS, ISOC will test the remote collection and process data needed to avoid collisions with resident space objects and to protect instrumentation from severe solar events.

Türkiye 

Led by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) and Turkish Space Agency (TUA), the Turkish portfolio has a strong focus on advanced technological development of novel hardware and capabilities to further advance Türkiye’s goals as a space-faring nation and build on its successes in satellite development.

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR-Gem)
CRISPR is a groundbreaking genetic editing scientific technique that can be used to increase, decrease, insert, or remove genes from organisms. This work builds on previous microgravity research showing how microgravity affects the growth, movement, and genetics of plants, and could provide valuable insights into plant adaptation to extreme environments and help develop more resilient crops for agriculture.

Vokalkord
The Vokalkord experiment will focus on developing an artificial intelligence system to detect over 70 types of disease by analyzing audio data on respiratory, speaking, and cough sounds. This project further develops their software for use on Earth as a tool to identify and diagnose lung cancers, voice and vocal cord diseases, infectious diseases, and even cardiovascular and eye disease. This project also aims for the further development of a telemedicine application that can be used in space missions and space tourism.

Innovative Research on Novel Space Alloys (UYNA)
The UYNA experiment will investigate novel medium entropy and high entropy alloys (MEAs and HEAs respectively). These types of metal alloys are characterized by their high strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion, and are of interest for potential applications in many industries, including space, aviation, automotive, energy, and medicine. The data from this experiment will help to improve our understanding of the formation and properties of MEA/HEA alloys, which could lead to the development of new and improved materials for a variety of applications.

ESA/Sweden

With a well-established and strong history in spaceflight, the ESA portfolio consists of projects and experiments that will continue to build on ESA’s mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capabilities and bring value to the citizens of Europe and the world.

The Analyzing Interferometer for Ambient Air-2 (ANITA-2)
The ANITA-2 project will sample air from the atmosphere on the ISS and automatically analyze trace contaminants. The system can recognize and quantify 33 trace gases via infrared light and identify unknown substances for additional analysis on the ground. This ongoing ESA project is part of ESA's technology development efforts for safe spaceflight in LEO and beyond.

Multi-Avatar and Robots Collaborating with Intuitive Interface (Surface Avatar)
The ESA-led Surface Avatar project is focused on developing robotic assets for space exploration, building infrastructure on planets and asteroids, and optimizing processes for data connections and communications relays. The applications of this project are also useful in scenarios such as arctic exploration, search and rescue in disaster zones, and under-sea maintenance.

Orbital Architecture
Architecture has been known to play a crucial role in shaping the physical and social environments, and it directly impacts human physical and psychological well-being. This study aims to investigate the effects of architectural settings, and their properties on astronaut’s cognitive performance, stress levels, and stress recovery rate. More specifically this activity looks to study if effects between the above-mentioned factors, observed in isolated and confined environments on Earth, and especially in space analog missions, are similarly observed in the environment of a space station.

Partnerships

As for previous missions, Axiom Space has partnered with many scientific organizations to continue to monitor the effects of spaceflight on the human body as well as explore opportunities of applied research in space to benefit health and medical treatments on Earth. Biological investigations into the development and treatment of certain cancers and neurological disorders are a strong focus for Ax-3.

National Stem Cell Foundation
Brain organoids are small 3D aggregates of neural cells that can be used to explore how the human nervous system develops or starts to degenerate. The Cosmic Brain Organoids project will use brain organoids derived from the stem cells of patients with the neurodegenerative diseases Parkinson's Disease and primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis to assess how microgravity affects the cells and uncover cellular pathways that could suggest novel therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases on Earth.

 Sanford Stem Cell Institute
The Cancer in LEO project from the Sanford Stem Cell Institute (SSCI), in partnership with Axiom Space, is studying tumor organoids in microgravity with the aim of identifying the early warning signs of cancer for prediction and prevention of the disease. This project is part of the expanded Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space, which aims to use microgravity to further understand stem cells, cancer, and aging-related effects in space to develop better prediction of disease and therapeutics for patients on Earth.

Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) Essential Measures
Following research conducted on Ax-1 and Ax-2, Axiom Space continues to work with TRISH to gather human physiological, behavioral, and biological data on how humans, especially commercial spaceflight participants, adapt to space. Results can also help inform Earth-based research into eye or movement disorders and the cognitive and emotional impacts of isolated, confined, or stressful environments.

Bodewell Skincare Study
The Bodewell Skincare study on Ax-3, sponsored by Procter and Gamble, will look at how effective Bodewell moisturizing cream—a specially-developed skin care product for people with eczema and psoriasis—is for preventing skin challenges that astronauts may experience in microgravity. 

Axiom Space and its partners will be releasing more details on the research conducted during the  Ax-3 mission in the weeks to come; you can find more information here.

Axiom Space to Hold Media Roundtable with Ax-3 Crew

Axiom Space will hold a virtual media roundtable with the astronauts of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The roundtable will give the Ax-3 crew an opportunity to highlight their experiences leading up to the mission, discuss their preparedness, and explain the mission objectives; this will be the first opportunity for reporters to engage with the full Ax-3 crew. 

In an historic venture, three countries – Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden through the European Space Agency (ESA) – have united for Ax-3. Axiom Space’s Chief Astronaut Michael López-Alegría (dual citizen of the U.S. and Spain), former NASA astronaut and Axiom Mission 1 commander, will serve as the Ax-3 commander. Italian Air Force Col. Walter Villadei will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Marcus Wandt of Sweden.

As part of Ax-3, Türkiye is sending its first astronaut to space in a larger effort to expand the nation’s space exploration capabilities and establish a national human spaceflight program. Ax-3 will also be the first commercial spaceflight mission for an ESA-sponsored astronaut. For Italy, the Ax-3 mission represents a whole-of-country effort to foster its endeavor for safe, secure, and effective access to space. 

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Ax-3 crew aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than January 2024. Once docked, the Ax-3 astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days on board implementing a full mission comprised of microgravity research, educational outreach, and commercial activities.

Ax-3 Crew Media Roundtable
Monday, October 16 at 9:00am CT

Participants include:

• Michael López-Alegría, Ax-3 Commander, Axiom Space, U.S. and Spain 

• Walter Villadei, Ax-3 Pilot, Italy

• Alper Gezeravcı, Ax-3 Mission Specialist, Türkiye

• Marcus Wandt, Ax-3 Mission Specialist, ESA/Sweden

Media must register to participate and RSVP by 12:00pm CT on October 13. After registering, media will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual roundtable.

Register here for the Ax-3 media roundtable: https://axiomspace.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uj8-ZE2GSIWh1tVPUY1VTg

Follow along for mission updates with #Ax3 on X, Instagram, and Facebook, and on our website.

Axiom Space and ESA Forge New Partnership for Future Space Exploration and Discovery

HOUSTON/PARIS, Oct. 6, 2023 – Axiom Space and the European Space Agency (ESA) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed Oct. 1 in Paris to explore collaborative opportunities in human spaceflight, science, technology, and commercialization.

Credit: ESA

Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space, commented, saying, “This MOU signifies a new era in international space collaboration. Together with ESA, we aim to enhance our collective capabilities in human spaceflight, fostering scientific innovation and expanding access to space. Together, we are building a future where European astronauts regularly embark on Axiom Space missions, further developing our pioneering space communities."

The European Space Agency's Director General, Josef Aschbacher, remarked, "Our collaboration with Axiom Space represents a step forward in Europe's endeavors in space. The combination of Axiom Space’s innovative approach to spaceflight and ESA's rich history and experience will create new opportunities not only for scientific and technology advancements, but also for nurturing a sustainable commercial space ecosystem."

Key Highlights of the MOU include:

Broadened Collaboration: Both organizations have expressed the intent to foster science and technology development, potentially collaborating on Axiom Space missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and post-ISS low-Earth orbit activities.

Astronaut Missions: Axiom Space is set to support ESA's goals for institutional astronaut missions and may also assist with nationally sponsored missions for ESA Member States.
(Of note, the first ESA-sponsored commercial astronaut mission to the ISS is with Axiom Space on Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) in January 2024. ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt of Sweden will be a mission specialist on the all-European crew of four, led by Axiom Space Chief Astronaut and Commander Michael López-Alegría)

Innovation in Spacesuits: Collaboration opportunities arise around the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuits, with possibilities for European companies to participate in various stages including training, operation, and maintenance.

Research & Development: The partnership seeks to further research projects on upcoming missions, leveraging European advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, health, and life sciences.

Access to Axiom Station: The MOU opens doors for European missions to access the world’s first commercial space station, Axiom Station, by the end of the decade, encouraging ongoing human spaceflight opportunities, research, commercial business development to include future European cargo and crew service providers, and more.

The MOU is effective immediately and will span an initial period of three years, with options for extension based on mutual agreement.

Both organizations anticipate that this partnership will not only propel advancements in space exploration and discovery, but also foster a spirit of international cooperation and innovation within the global space community.

ABOUT AXIOM SPACE

Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.