Axiom Space and Aotearoa New Zealand Sign MOU to Advance Research in Space

Earth observation image of Aotearoa New Zealand from the ISS. (Credit: NASA Johnson)

Commercial space leader Axiom Space has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Aotearoa New Zealand to advance world leading studies in science and technology. This agreement will provide Aotearoa New Zealand access to conduct groundbreaking research on the International Space Station (ISS) through Axiom-sponsored missions and, in the future, on Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The agreement was signed by the President and CEO of Axiom Space, Michael Suffredini, and Iain Cossar, General Manager Science, Innovation and International, and Head of the New Zealand Space Agency, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

This partnership will foster new collaboration between Axiom Space and New Zealand-based research teams from the University of Canterbury, led by Dr. Sarah Kessans, and the University of Auckland, led by Dr. Brian Russell. The agreement will enable Aotearoa New Zealand to build on its expertise in manufacturing and biotechnology and advance the country’s space sector by providing access to conduct scientific research in microgravity.

"We at Axiom Space are pleased to partner with Aotearoa New Zealand to offer new access to space and create opportunities for companies, scientists and researchers in New Zealand. Axiom is enabling a robust space economy in low-Earth orbit as we build a permanent commercial destination and next-generation space laboratory in Earth’s orbit to accelerate human progress in space and bring untold benefits back home," said Michael Suffredini.

Through the MOU, New Zealand-based institutions aim to make laboratory research in orbit more accessible and affordable and enable rapid drug and vaccine development, strengthening the country’s efforts toward establishing world-leading manufacturing for its space sector. This partnership with Axiom Space will also help advance the development of an Artificial Intelligence assisted clinical decision support system. Initiating development to help manage astronaut health, the tool could help health professionals assess health risks and treatment planning when they are very remote from patient locations, such as those in space or in Antarctica. Axiom Space will contribute in-space operational experience to the study, with the New Zealand team providing computational, medical, and human performance expertise.

“This partnership has been facilitated by the Innovative Partnerships programme. The programme forms part of the Government’s efforts to raise the levels of research and development (R&D) by attracting investment into New Zealand through working with international firms and innovators. Through the programme, each project will receive $90,000 to support their studies,” says Iain Cossar. “Space exploration not only increases our knowledge of our planet and universe and encourages research, science and innovation, it also provides economic opportunities for New Zealand.”

In addition to signing an MOU with Aotearoa New Zealand, Axiom has signed agreements with several nations including the Italian government, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These historic agreements signify the company’s commitment to provide the international community with access to harness microgravity to advance scientific research, innovative technologies, on-orbit manufacturing, and space exploration.

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is 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 operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home

Former National Space Council Official, Jared Stout, Joins Axiom Space Government Relations Team

Jared Stout

Commercial space leader Axiom Space is pleased to announce the hire of Jared Stout, formerly the Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the White House National Space Council, to serve as the company’s Vice President of Government and External Relations, beginning on August 15.  At Axiom, which is currently constructing the world’s first commercial space station to succeed the International Space Station (ISS), Mr. Stout will oversee advocacy and outreach initiatives and serve as a thought leader for the company’s policy objectives spanning the U.S. Government as well as state and regional activities. 

Stout joins Axiom from Meeks, Butera & Israel, PLLC in Washington, D.C., where he has been Director of Congressional and Regulatory Policy for the past two years after an earlier role as Senior Policy Advisor at Venable, LLP.  In those positions he served as a key advisor shaping legislative, communications, and regulatory strategies for clients spanning the civil, commercial, and national security space industry. His prior work with the National Space Council included orchestration of external affairs for the Council and formulation of U.S. national space policy and initiatives, working across the entire U.S. Government through the interagency process to coordinate space policy in the civil, commercial, and national security sectors.

“I am thrilled to be joining Axiom Space and a leadership team that is driving economic development in low-Earth orbit”, said Stout.  “Axiom’s recent, successful Ax-1 mission together with several recent international agreements and strong progress manufacturing Axiom Station position it as the key architect of the next generation of human activity in space, providing orbital infrastructure services to industry, researchers, international teams and the U.S. Government through new and innovative business relationships.”

Prior to joining the National Space Council staff, Stout was Chief of Staff at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, where he had earlier served as Senior Advisor for Communications.  Before joining the FAA, he was a Professional Staff Member supporting the Space Subcommittee of the Science, Space and Technology Committee of the House of Representatives, where he drafted significant portions of NASA Authorization Acts and the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015, among others.

Stout’s addition to Axiom bolsters an organization with deep expertise in commercial space, spanning engineering, research, manufacturing, and policy.  He will report directly to Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Chief Government and External Relations Officer for Axiom.

“Jared brings a tremendous range of space policy development, industry expertise, advocacy, and strategic vision encompassing relationships and experience in both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government as well as state operations,” said Dittmar. “Axiom is completely committed to preserving U.S. leadership in space through commercial partnerships and our relationship with NASA, as well as through a whole-of-government approach that Jared played a key role in advancing at the federal level.  We look forward to welcoming him to the Axiom team.” 

About Axiom Space:
Axiom Space is 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 operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

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Axiom Space and Hungary Sign MOU To Expand Relationship in Space

Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space, and Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Washington D.C. on July 20, 2022. (Credit: Márton Király)

Axiom Space and the Hungarian government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further their existing relationship in human spaceflight and to advance opportunities in space research and technology development. The agreement between Axiom and Hungary was signed on July 20, 2022,  in Washington, D.C.  

The main focus of the new agreement is to further the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) program, Hungary’s astronaut program, which aims to send a Hungarian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) via a future Axiom Space commercial astronaut mission. Building off the first agreement between Axiom and the Hungarian government, signed on December of 2021, which formalized a partnership to return a Hungarian astronaut to space, this MOU enables a wide range of cooperation and possible joint developments between Axiom Space and Hungary. It acknowledges both the importance the company plays in helping to define the future of human space flight, including through the future Axiom Station, as well as the capacities and space heritage of the Hungarian space sector.

“As we enter this new era of commercial spaceflight, it is vital that the U.S. space industry continues forging relationships with nations committed to collaborating in microgravity research and bringing those benefits back to the people of Earth. The U.S. has a long history of international cooperation in space, bringing countries together for the purpose of benefiting all humans, everywhere,” said Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space

“This second agreement between Hungary and Axiom Space builds on efforts to cultivate a robust economy in space by engaging government and industry partnerships. Such collaborations have the power to transform what was once only imaginable,” said Suffredini. “We look forward to expanding our relationship with Hungary to include new initiatives in human spaceflight, science, and STEM.”

This new agreement underscores Axiom Space and Hungary’s common interest to utilize space for peaceful purposes and promote scientific advancement through international collaboration. Under this agreement, Axiom and Hungary will collaborate to enable scientific research and technology demonstrations in microgravity, develop in-space manufacturing capabilities, and inspire the next generation of a strong and capable STEM workforce.

“This partnership with Axiom Space is an important investment that will provide opportunities conduct research in microgravity, strengthen the Hungarian Astronaut Program, and enhance Hungary’s work towards advancing space research and technology development. Together, we are confident that the space industry will play a crucial role in the development of our economy and are both committed to investing into this high-tech and knowledge-based sector. The adoption of the first Hungarian governmental Space Strategy that was established last year signifies our commitment towards expanding our involvement and presence in space.” said Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.

The growing relationship between Axiom Space and Hungary symbolizes the company’s commitment to provide opportunities to nations across the globe who share an appreciation for the benefits provided by microgravity while strengthening bonds between nations and the world at-large.

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is 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 operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

Axiom Space wins NASA Contract to Build Next Generation Astronaut Spacesuits

HOUSTON - Axiom Space announced today that it has been awarded the NASA Extravehicular Activity Services (xEVAS) Contract. Axiom is one of two companies to win the award with a potential total value of $3.5 billion across the life of the program. Under the terms of the contract, the Houston-based company will build the space agency’s next generation astronaut spacesuits that may be used for low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the Artemis lunar missions. The new spacesuits by Axiom Space will provide astronauts with advanced capabilities for space exploration while providing NASA commercially developed human systems needed to access, live, and work in microgravity and on and around the Moon.

The Axiom spacesuit is key to the company’s commercial space services. This new NASA contract enables Axiom to build spacesuits that serve the company’s commercial customers and future space station goals while meeting NASA’s ISS and exploration needs.   

“Our innovative approach to xEVAS spacesuits provides NASA with an evolvable design that enables cost-efficient development, testing, training, deployment, and real-time operations to address a variety of EVA needs and operational scenarios for a range of customers, including NASA,” said Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space’s President & CEO. “We are immensely pleased that NASA recognizes the value Axiom Space is providing across a range of human spaceflight activities, from our recent private astronaut mission to the ISS to the design and development of Axiom Station, and now to providing this critical system and associated services for astronauts in LEO and beyond.”

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Members of Axiom Space’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) work on building the next generation spacesuit at the company’s Houston headquarters. Photo credit: Axiom Space 

Axiom Space has partnered with a strong team of industry experts on this contract including KBR, Air-Lock, David Clark Company, Paragon Space Development Corporation, Sophic Synergistics, and A-P-T Research.

The firm fixed price contract is structured as an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award over a 10-year ordering period and allows for two additional years for completion of services. Authorization to perform work under the xEVAS contract will be through the issuance of NASA task orders not to exceed $3.1B with a ceiling of $3.5B for all services.

Axiom’s xEVAS spacesuits will be designed to accommodate a wide range of crew members. Building off of NASA’s xEMU spacesuit design, the Axiom spacesuits are created to provide increased flexibility and specialized tools to accomplish exploration needs and expand scientific opportunities in space. The xEVAS spacesuits design includes life support, pressure garments, and avionics. The Axiom Space team will provide EVA systems training and real-time operations support to NASA, among other services.

NASA may order IDIQ services at any time after the contract starts with a period of performance beginning June 2022 and ending June 2032.  No phase-in period is anticipated, and the work will be managed at Axiom’s Houston facilities.

This NASA contract win is the latest of Axiom Space’s list of recent accomplishments in its efforts to grow the commercial space industry. Earlier this month Axiom Space celebrated the groundbreaking at the company’s new, long-term headquarters at Houston Spaceport, which will be home to the development and construction of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. Axiom Space also recently welcomed home the crew of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) after successfully completing the first all-private astronaut mission to the ISS. The company has also signed agreements with several nations including Italy, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to fly on future space missions.

Axiom Space was founded in Houston in 2016 by space entrepreneur Kam Ghaffarian and Michael Suffredini – NASA’s ISS Program Manager from 2005 to 2015 –   to build the world’s first commercial space station and develop commercial space infrastructure that will drive a thriving low-Earth orbit economy. The company currently employs more than 500 people, the majority of which work at its current Houston facilities and will grow the number to over 1,000 by 2023.

This patch represents the Axiom Space’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU). Our blue star represents Ed White, the first American to perform an EVA. The red star represents Alexie Leonov, the first person to conduct a spacewalk. Each white star represents our AxEMU sub-system team. The gray path illustrates our continuous improvement in engineering design. The orange streak represents leveraging commercial EVA services for NASA’s exploration missions.

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About Axiom Space  

Axiom Space, the premier provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. Axiom is opening new markets in low-Earth orbit through operating end-to-end missions to the International Space Station while privately developing its successor – a permanent commercial destination in Earth’s orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

Inquiries: media@axiomspace.com   

Axiom Space and Italian Government Sign Historic MOU to Expand Commercial Utilization of Space

HOUSTON, 25 of May 2022 – Axiom Space, a leader in human spaceflight currently building the world’s first commercial space station, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Italian government to further their existing collaboration, including the potential for the development of space infrastructure integrated with the future Axiom Station. The agreement was signed by the President and CEO of Axiom Space, Michael Suffredini, and Italy’s Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition, Vittorio Colao, on 19 May in Rome, Italy.

While the MOU is exploratory in nature, areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include mutual definition of potential user requirements as well as technological solutions and operational concepts for an Italian module that could later be developed and integrated into the Axiom Space Station. The project could take the form of a public-private framework with the governance and business models developed over time.  Other areas of cooperation include collaborative development and implementation of research supporting space exploration and technology, including advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, on-orbit manufacturing, space security, aerospace medicine, simulation and robotics, and other areas of mutual interest as determined by the two parties, as well as training and mission operations.

Axiom Space President and CEO Michael Suffredini and the Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao

The MOU – a first-of-its-kind approach between the Italian government and a private international corporation - is the latest effort between Italy and the Houston-based Axiom Space. Earlier this year, Axiom announced Italian Air Force (ItAF) Colonel Walter Villadei as the company’s first international professional astronaut. He is currently in training in Houston. Col. Villadei has been selected by Axiom as a backup on the Ax-2 mission, and an initial agreement has been signed for a reservation on a mission targeting late 2023. Based on ItAF’s significant competencies in the field of astronautics, modeling and simulation, and aerospace medicine, such a mission will allow the implementation of multidisciplinary scientific and technological experiments from the Italian research and industrial community and will further strengthen the relationship being established under the MOU just signed.  

Together, these agreements between Axiom and Italy demonstrate the promise and viability of business to government (B2G) relationships that can help grow and expand the commercial space economy across multiple industries and market sectors. A Joint Working Group, composed of representatives from Axiom and institutions and industrial representatives appointed by the Italian Government, will pursue the implementation of the MOU.

“As one of the first European countries invested in the International Space Station, this agreement with the Italian government will bring an experienced partner to Axiom Station, helping to open a new paradigm as we build this next generation microgravity platform in low Earth orbit”, said Michael Suffredini. “The MOU is a significant addition to Axiom Space’s long-standing relationship with Italy and reflects our shared commitment to expand global access to space and grow the LEO economy while advancing science and technology to benefit all of humanity.”

Axiom Station will provide the international community with a modern, efficient, and cost-effective space infrastructure that enables microgravity research, further technological developments, and operations to continue seamlessly after the ISS end of life. The collaboration between Axiom and Italy will harness microgravity for the development of advanced scientific research, innovative technologies, on-orbit manufacturing, and space exploration.

“The agreement intends to deepen cooperation for the development and implementation of projects in the aerospace sector…[it represents] the enrichment of the excellent and historical bilateral relations between the United States and Italy, with cooperation also in the field of commercial space flight seen as an opportunity to develop a new chapter of the human presence around the Earth and on the Moon for the benefit of the whole humanity”, according to a statement released by the Italian government.  

The agreement with Italy adds to Axiom Space’s list of recent accomplishments in its efforts to grow the commercial space industry. Earlier this month, Axiom Space celebrated the groundbreaking at the company’s new, long-term headquarters at Houston Spaceport, which will be home to the development and construction of Axiom Station. Axiom Space also recently welcomed home the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) crew after successfully completing the first all-private astronaut mission to the ISS. The company has also signed agreements with several nations, including Hungary and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to fly on future space missions.

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is 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 operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

For further information, please contact media@axiomspace.com

Axiom Space Breaks Ground on New Headquarters and Space Station Production Facility at Houston Spaceport

The new Axiom Space campus will include astronaut training and mission control facilities, engineering development and testing labs, and a production facility for Axiom’s space station modules. Render courtesy of Jacobs Engineering.

HOUSTON, 11 May 2022 – The future of low-Earth orbit and human spaceflight in Space City, has a new base of operations as Axiom Space breaks ground on a new state-of-the-art headquarters in Houston.

On Wednesday, May 11, commercial space leader Axiom Space and the City of Houston celebrated groundbreaking at the company’s new, long-term headquarters at Ellington Airport, the site of the Houston Spaceport. There, Axiom Space – which is developing Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station – will construct a campus containing employee offices, astronaut training, and mission control facilities, engineering development and testing labs, and a high bay production facility to house Axiom’s space station modules under construction.

From left to right: Monica Greeley, Axiom Space, Michael Suffredini, Axiom Space, City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation Houston Airport System, Arturo Machuca, Director of Ellington Airport and Houston Spaceport.

“From this Axiom Space headquarters campus, we will continue the progress in space that will revolutionize life back home,” Axiom Space President & CEO Michael Suffredini said. “We are proud to be an anchor tenant of the Houston Spaceport and ensure the future of human spaceflight and the space economy is centered in the city where it all began.”

Houston’s leadership in the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and ISS programs earned its title as Space City, the home of human spaceflight.

Now Axiom Space is adding a new accolade to Space City, for the first time in the city’s history it will be home to the development and construction of human-rated spacecraft thanks to Axiom Stations modules, which will be outfitted and assembled at Axiom’s facility at the Spaceport.

“These are historically exciting times for us all. As the city that helped put men on the moon, Houston continues to lead the way in technology and innovation,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Axiom Space has set itself apart from others in the private space industry. Our city – Space City - couldn’t be prouder for our own Houston Spaceport to serve as home base for such momentous commercial and academic advancement.”

Render courtesy of Jacobs Engineering

Axiom Space has partnered with Jacobs, Turner Construction Company, Savills, and Griffin Partners to expand the company’s headquarters at Houston Spaceport. Jacobs, in close collaboration with Axiom Space, designed the assembly, integration, and testing facility. Axiom Space has contracted with Turner for site construction. Savills real estate firm represented Axiom Space in the lease negotiations, and Griffin Partners is providing development management services for the  project. 

The development of Axiom Space's Spaceport property will be developed in two phases. Phase I includes 106,000 square feet of assembly integration and test facilities and aims to be completed by April 2023. The second phase will add facilities for labs, mission operations and training, aircraft operations, and office space.

This is Axiom Space’s latest accomplishment as it grows the commercial space industry and expands access to low-Earth orbit to a broader international community. Axiom Space recently welcomed home the crew of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) after successfully completing the first all-private astronaut mission to the ISS, a precursor mission to Axiom Station. The company has also signed agreements with several nations including Italy, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to fly on future space missions.

Axiom Space was founded in Houston in 2016 by Michael Suffredini – NASA’s ISS Program Manager from 2005 to 2015 – and space entrepreneur Kam Ghaffarian to build the world’s first commercial space station and develop commercial space infrastructure that will drive a thriving low-Earth orbit economy. The company currently employs more than 400 people, the majority of which work at its current Houston facilities and has plans to grow the number to 600 by the end of 2022 and 1,000 by 2025.

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Watch the groundbreaking:

Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Visits Axiom HQ

Credit: Axiom Space

The Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Manlio Di Stefano visited Axiom Space headquarters along with Italian Air Force Col. and Axiom government astronaut trainee Walter Villadei to discuss the progress being made toward building Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. 

Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini and CTO Matt Ondler were among those who joined Stefano and Col. Villadei at Axiom HQ. Through this important partnership and ongoing collaboration with the Italian industry, the companies are working together to build Axiom Station and train a new class of government astronauts. These combined efforts will provide global access to space and advance the low-Earth orbit economy. 

As part of Axiom Space’s professional astronaut services, Col. Villadei has begun training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to fly on a future Axiom-sponsored research mission. Col. Villadei will complete the company’s training curriculum over many months in preparation to live and conduct meaningful work in space, expanding Italy’s role in human space exploration. 

Axiom Space has contracted Italy’s Thales Alenia Space to construct the primary structures for the first two modules of Axiom’s world’s-first commercial space station. Axiom Hub 1 will arrive in Houston for operational subsystem integration before its planned 2024 launch followed by Hub 2 with a planned 2025 launch.

Global partnerships remain an important priority to Axiom Space in the efforts to open the door for new markets in low-Earth orbit.

Axiom Space and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center Sign Agreement for UAE Astronaut to Fly on the ISS in 2023

Axiom Space is opening low Earth orbit to the broader international community by enabling the first long-duration flight for an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) signed a new strategic cooperation in human spaceflight with Axiom Space Inc. announcing the launch of a new space mission to the International Space Station that will last for six months. The agreement between MBRSC and Axiom Space was signed at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington D.C. on April 27 , and His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, and H.E. Yousuf Hamad AlShaibani, Deputy Chairman, MBRSC, along with astronauts Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla all attended the signing ceremony. The agreement was signed in the Embassy of the United States by both parties: H.E Salem Al-Marri, Director General of the Centre, on behalf of the Centre, and Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space.

HOUSTON, 29 April 2022 – The exciting new era of commercial human spaceflight ushered in over the past three weeks by the successful Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), the first private mission to the International Space Station (ISS), entered a new phase with the signing of an agreement between Axiom Space and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to fly a UAE professional crew member to the ISS on NASA’s SpaceX Crew 6, expected to occur in 2023.

“It is our great pleasure to sign the agreement with the United Arab Emirates’ Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, marking the first time a commercial space company has made such a mission possible,” said Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space. “Axiom Space is proud to provide MBRSC with a flight opportunity for a UAE astronaut, enabling its first long-term mission to the ISS.”

While UAE has previously flown an astronaut to the ISS onboard the Soyuz MS15 spacecraft, this will be the first non-ISS partner professional astronaut flight facilitated by a U.S. commercial space company. The mission is expected to last approximately six months, marking the first long-duration flight of an astronaut from an Arab nation. In yet another first, the UAE crew member will serve as a member of two Expedition crews onboard the space station across the roughly six-month interval. 

The flight opportunity provided by Axiom has its origins in a no-funds contract signed between NASA and Axiom to fly a NASA astronaut onboard a Soyuz seat, previously purchased by Axiom, in order to ensure continuous U.S. presence onboard the ISS. In exchange, NASA provided Axiom the right to use a seat owned by NASA onboard a commercial U.S. spacecraft traveling to the ISS in the future. Since the seats were deemed of equal value, there will be no future exchange of funds between NASA and Axiom for the flight opportunity. Axiom’s agreement with MBRSC is between the company and the UAE space agency.

The agreement was signed at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C., on April 27 by Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director-General of MBRSC, and Michael Suffredini, and announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is 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 operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

Inquiries: media@axiomspace.com

Boryung, Axiom Space, and Starburst Aerospace Announce First Annual Care In Space Challenge

The joint initiative between Boryung, Axiom, and Starburst will advance the next generation of pharmaceutical, bioscience and medtech development in space.

Starburst, the world's first and only global aerospace accelerator and advisory firm, today announced that applications have opened for the first annual CIS ("Care in Space") Challenge. The global challenge, led by Boryung in collaboration with Axiom Space and Starburst, will identify and provide commercialization support for emerging technologies and solutions that optimize human health for space travel and habitation and/or are manufactured in space to advance healthcare here on Earth.

The CIS Challenge will serve as an essential tool to leverage space as an innovative platform for developing new healthcare technologies as well as address the complexities of health monitoring, diagnosis and treatment for those traveling in Low Earth Orbit and beyond. As opportunities for space exploration and commerce expand, the CIS Challenge is set to support critical developments that will make space accessible and safe for all of humanity. And the unique challenges of space facilitate research and development of products that have immediate terrestrial application, from new medications to medical devices to nutritional supplements to stem-cell therapies.

"We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is currently thought possible in both healthcare and aerospace," said Boryung Head of New Portfolio Investment, Jack Dongjoo Lim. "Boryung is incredibly excited to work with Axiom and Starburst to seek out the next generation of innovators and founders working on solutions that facilitate access to space for everyone."

Amir Blachman, Axiom Space Chief Business Officer said, "It is increasingly evident that space, and in particular microgravity, has profound impacts on the speed of drug discovery, improvements in medical devices and advancements related to regenerative medicine and life sciences. We are pleased to support Boryung and Starburst Aerospace in opening space to a broad community of innovators in these fields."

Through the challenge, the companies and technologies with the most promising technical solutions and potential for commercial viability will have the opportunity to receive a $1 million dollar prize pot that will be divided by no more than 10 winners. The selected companies and technologies will also go through Starburst's 13-week accelerator program. In the accelerator, the entrepreneurs will receive mentorship from Starburst's global network of industry leaders and support with technology development, customer discovery, business development and fundraising, as well as preparation for/facilitation of on-orbit research. Each winner will gain access to Axiom's integration team which has successfully flown dozens of payloads to the International Space Station.

"The extreme conditions of space have always driven the development of novel technologies, and we are excited for this unique opportunity–through this partnership with Boryung and Axiom–to expand the understanding of physiological responses to extreme environments and support entrepreneurs doing cutting edge research in precision medicine, regenerative medicine, synthetic biology, pharmaceutical development, and more," said Elizabeth Reynolds, Accelerator Program Director at Starburst. "The commercial space age is here, and we are on the cusp of the biological revolution; this cross-disciplinary effort is the future."

The CIS Challenge application period runs from 04/18/22 - 06/17/22. A Pitch Day event on 07/28/22 will afford selected applicants the opportunity to showcase their capabilities to aerospace and bioscience and bio/medtech industry experts who will assess entrepreneurial acumen and the scientific merit, business model viability, and overall feasibility of their solutions.

To learn more about the CIS Challenge and to apply, please visit: www.starburst.aero/care-in- space/

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is 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 operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately building its successor, Axiom Station, the first permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. More information about Axiom can be found at www.axiomspace.com

About Boryung

Boryung is contributing to the progress and development of the pharmaceutical industry by using the spirit of interdependence via commitment to human health. Accordingly, we are striving to realize the company's vision of Lifetime Care Company. Boryung pursues an 'achievement of interdependence based on humanism' and participates in various corporate philanthropic activities. Furthermore, we aim to become a global company, not by becoming content, but by continuously innovating and transforming. More information about Boryung can be found at www.boryung.co.kr

About Starburst

Starburst is an innovation catalyst in the aerospace industry. They are the first and only global aerospace accelerator, connecting startups with corporates, investors and government, while providing strategic growth and investment consulting services for all. With offices in Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, and Madrid, the team has built an ecosystem of key players with 9000+ of startups in its network. Starburst's accelerator program helps startups scale their business in aviation, space, and defense with access to the largest group of corporate stakeholders to help startups win their first $1M+ contract. More information about Starburst can be found at www.starburst.aero

Media Contact
Matt Jaffe
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Axiom Space and Partners Demonstrate Commitment to Emerging Technologies for In Space Production and Manufacturing in Low-Earth Orbit

At the core of Axiom Space’s mission is to enable the development of a diverse and robust commercial economy in low-Earth orbit. Axiom Space, a leader in human spaceflight and building the world’s first commercial space station, proudly congratulates four of its partners whose proposals were selected by NASA in Focus Area 1A of the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) seeking In Space Production Applications (InSPA) flight demonstrations:

• Establishing Production of Stem Cell Therapies, Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles

• Fabrication of Flawless Glass in Microgravity, Flawless Photonics, Inc., Los Altos Hills, California

• Biomimetic Fabrication of Multifunctional DNA-inspired Nanomaterials, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut

• Semimetal-Semiconductor Composite Bulk Crystals, United Semiconductors, LLC, Los Alamitos, California

Axiom Space and its partners made up half of the selected proposals, highlighting the company’s commitment to enabling proof-of-concept demonstrations and cutting-edge advancements that will establish next-generation technologies in the first independent space station.

“I congratulate our partners for this tremendous accomplishment and their dedication to innovating and advancing in-space technologies and capabilities in low-Earth orbit,” said Christian Maender, Director of In-Space Research and Manufacturing at Axiom Space. “We are excited that NASA continues to expand and offer more opportunities for in-space production applications and for taking the next steps in the commercialization of space.”

More about the selectees:

Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute, located in Los Angeles, in partnership with Axiom Space of Houston has been selected for proposing to use cutting-edge methods related to the production and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) on the International Space Station. Cedars-Sinai will explore in-space production of stem cells into heart, brain, and blood tissues in support of regenerative medicine uses on Earth. While stem cells and stem cell-derived tissues hold great promise for use in research and as clinical-grade therapeutic agents, safe and efficient expansion of stem cells and their derivatives continues to be a major challenge on Earth. Generating, expanding, and differentiating cells at scale in the microgravity environment of space with sufficient yields of a constant therapeutic cell product that meets FDA biologics requirements may be the answer to overcome those challenges.

Flawless Photonics, Inc. of Los Altos Hills, California, in partnership with the University of Adelaide, Axiom Space, and Visioneering Space has been selected for their proposal to develop specialized glass manufacturing hardware to process Heavy-Metal Fluoride Glasses (HMFG) in microgravity. HMFG glasses are used in the terrestrial manufacturing of exotic optical fibers and other optics applications. Without convective forces present in 1g, HMFG made in microgravity are expected to achieve the ideal amorphous microstructure during synthesis, eliminating light scattering defects that limit lasing power and transmission over long fiber lengths.

The University of Connecticut out of Storrs, Connecticut, in partnership with Eascra Biotech of Boston, Massachusetts and Axiom Space of Houston, has been selected for their proposed biomimetic fabrication of multifunctional nanomaterials, a cutting-edge breakthrough in biomedicine that can benefit from microgravity in space to accomplish controlled self-assembly of DNA-inspired Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs). These JBNs will be used as effective, safe, and stable delivery vehicles for RNA therapeutics and vaccines, as well as first-in-kind injectable scaffolds for regenerative medicine. By leveraging the benefits of microgravity, the UConn/Eascra team expects to mature in-space production of different types of JBNs with more orderly structures and higher homogeneity over what is possible using terrestrial materials, improving efficacy for mRNA therapeutics and structural integrity for cartilage tissue repair.

United Semiconductors of Los Alamitos, California, has been selected for their proposal to produce semimetal-semiconductor composite bulk crystals commonly used in electromagnetic sensors for solving challenges in the energy, high performance computing and national security sectors. Together with teammates Axiom Space of Houston and Redwire of Greenville, Indiana, United Semiconductors intends to validate the scaling and efficacy of producing larger semimetal-semiconductor composite crystals under microgravity conditions with perfectly aligned and continuous semimetal wires embedded across the semiconductor matrix. If successful at eliminating defects found in those manufactured with terrestrial materials, United Semiconductors will have developed a processing technology for creating device-ready wafers from space-grown crystals.

People - Watch Astronaut Michael López-Alegría and Pianist BLKBOK Perform a Duet — from Space!

Astronaut Michael López-Alegría's latest mission is out of this world.

In what marked the very first time an astronaut in orbit has performed a duet with a musician back down on Earth, López-Alegría teamed up with pianist BLKBOK for a moving performance of the artist's song "STARS (AD ASTRA)."

Afterwards, BLKBOK—who was behind the keys in Florida, where he'd watched López-Alegría take off—performed, fittingly, Elton John's "Rocket Man," which he dedicated to the astronaut, 63.

CBS News - Commercial crew in full stride aboard space station, having "a ton of fun"

The first NASA-sanctioned all-private crew to visit the International Space Station has had few problems adapting to weightlessness, but a non-stop schedule of proprietary research and public outreach has left little "window time" for sightseeing, their commander said Wednesday.

Since arriving at the station last Saturday, "it has been fast paced," retired astronaut Michael López-Alegría, the crew's leader and mentor, said in a space-to-ground interview with CBS News. "I think that's probably the biggest surprise, just how incredibly quick time goes by." 

More than 25 ISS National Lab-sponsored Investigations on first all-private astronaut mission to the space station

Courtesy of SpaceX

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (FL), April 11, 2022 – On Friday, April 8, the launch of the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), marked the beginning of a new era of privatized utilization of the orbiting laboratory. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lifted off from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying four Axiom Space astronauts: Commander and former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS on Saturday, and the four Axiom crew members were welcomed onboard. Over the span of eight days on the space station, the Ax-1 crew members will conduct dozens of research experiments, many of which are sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory. In total, the ISS National Lab is sponsoring more than 25 experiments associated with the Ax-1 mission.

CBS Mornings - SpaceX and Axiom to send 4 private astronauts on weeklong stay at International Space Station

Former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria will command Axiom 1, the first all-private mission to the International Space Station. Mark Strassmann previews the mission. 

Axiom Space celebrates arrival of Ax-1 crew to International Space Station

The historic Ax-1 crew has arrived at the International Space Station. Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe, and Mission Specialist Mark Pathy entered the space station shortly after the hatch opened at 10:13 a.m. EDT on Saturday, April 9.   

The Axiom astronauts were welcomed by Expedition 67 crew members, including NASA astronauts Marshburn, Raja Chari, and Kayla Barron, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Sergey Korsokov, and Denis Matveev. With the addition of the Ax astronauts there are now 11 people working and living on the orbiting laboratory.  

The crew received a call from the ground from NASA’s Kathy Lueders, Associate Administrator for Space Operations and Michael Suffredini, President and CEO, Axiom Space who congratulated the crew for making history as the first all-private astronaut crew to the International Space Station.   

Shortly after, López-Alegría, in his role as mission commander, pinned Connor, Stibbe, and Pathy with a pin from the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), signifying their status as astronauts and official start of their journey aboard the space station.  ASE, an international association of astronauts who have flown into Earth orbit and beyond, created the pin as a universal astronaut insignia to unite space explorers and travelers.  

"There's a tradition when you pass a certain boundary you become an astronaut. That happened to these three gentlemen for the first time yesterday. Now I'd like to note it officially," López-Alegría explained before pinning each of his Ax-1 crewmates. "When I pin these on -- I think the numbers are 582, 583, and 584 for Larry, Eytan, and Mark -- I hope they will wear these with the pride they deserve." 

The Ax-1 crew will live and work aboard the orbiting laboratory for eight days, conducting more than 25 research experiments across a breadth of biological and technological areas to inform future human spaceflight and improve life on Earth. Ax-1 is the first of several proposed Axiom Space missions to the International Space Station, and a critical first step toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.    

Follow along for mission updates with #Ax1 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  

Ax-1, first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, docks

After a journey of almost 21 hours, Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) astronauts Michael Lopez-Alegria, Larry Connor, Eytan Stibbe, and Mark Pathy arrived at the International Space Station at 8:29 a.m. EDT Saturday, April 9. The SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft docked to the orbital complex while the spacecraft were flying about 260 miles above the Atlantic Ocean. 

Dragon’s docking was delayed approximately 45 minutes as the space station teams, including mission controls at NASA and SpaceX, worked to troubleshoot an issue preventing the crew members on station from receiving views from Dragon’s center line camera of the Harmony’s modules docking port. Mission teams worked to route video using a SpaceX ground station to the crew on the space station allowing Dragon to proceed with docking.  

Following Dragon’s link up to the Harmony module, NASA astronaut and station commander Tom Marshburn will pressurize the space in between the Dragon and station hatches and perform a leak check before opening the hatches to welcome the private astronaut crew. 

Once aboard the station, the Axiom crew will be welcomed by Expedition 67 crew members, including NASA astronauts Marshburn, Raja Chari, and Kayla Barron, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Sergey Korsokov, and Denis Matveev.  

The Ax-1 crew is the first all-private astronaut crew to travel to the ISS. 

Follow along for mission updates with #Ax1 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  

Ax-1 Crew First Check-In From Orbit

The Ax-1 astronauts did a quick check-in from the SpaceX Dragon during their journey to the International Space Station. The crew shared a few of their first experiences of being in space:

The Axiom crew is scheduled to arrive at the International Space Station on Saturday, April 9 at approximately 7:45 a.m. ET  

New York Post - Private astronaut team strapped in for historic space station launch

Four men selected to become the first all-private astronaut team ever launched to the International Space Station were strapped into their seats aboard a SpaceX rocket ship on Friday, preparing for a mission hailed as a milestone in commercialized spaceflight.

Washington Post - Axiom and SpaceX launch first all-private mission to International Space Station

A crew comprised entirely of private citizens blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center on a flight to the International Space Station Friday morning, marking yet another milestone in the evolution of human spaceflight and the growth of the commercial space sector.

NBC - Axiom's mission to ISS sets stage for private space station

A company called Axiom is setting the stage for its own private space station. This journey from Earth to the International Space Station in orbit is designed to establish how the Houston company aims to use the ISS as a high-tech construction trailer. Axiom plans to build modules that will eventually become its own private office park. While three crew members have paid $55 million each, Axiom says this is not space tourism but rather a step toward a future with profits for private companies and unknown benefits for humanity.