{"id":359190,"date":"2026-01-31T09:33:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T23:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=aff2edf46c8e42237a2ce6de21129c50"},"modified":"2026-01-31T09:33:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T23:33:57","slug":"nasa-selects-axiom-space-for-fifth-private-mission-to-space-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=359190","title":{"rendered":"NASA Selects Axiom Space for Fifth Private Mission to Space Station"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"NASA<\/a><\/figure>
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Credit: NASA <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than January 2027 from the agency\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe award of our fifth private astronaut mission shows that commercial space is not a distant promise, but a present reality,\u201d said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. \u201cBy expanding access and sharpening competition in low Earth orbit, these missions are building the capabilities NASA will rely on as we move outward to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We look forward to building upon those capabilities with many private astronaut missions to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Axiom Mission 5 is expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the space station. A specific launch date will depend on overall spacecraft traffic at the orbital outpost and other planning considerations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe International Space Station is a critical platform for enabling commercial industry in low Earth orbit,\u201d said Dana Weigel, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. \u201cPrivate astronaut missions allow the station to be used as a proving ground for new markets and technologies while enabling science, research, and outreach to contribute to a growing space economy.\u201d <\/p>\n

Axiom Space will submit four proposed crew members to NASA and its international partners for review. Once approved and confirmed, they will train with NASA, international partners, and the launch provider for their mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are honored NASA awarded Axiom Space its fifth human spaceflight mission,\u201d said Jonathan Cirtain, president and CEO, Axiom Space. \u201cAll four previous missions have expanded the global community of space explorers, diversifying scientific investigations in microgravity, and providing significant insight that is benefitting the development of our next-generation space station, Axiom Station. The award underscores Axiom Space\u2019s commitment to redefining access to space, fostering international collaboration, and enabling research opportunities in low Earth orbit for the benefit of all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Axiom Space will purchase mission services from NASA, including crew consumables, cargo delivery, storage, and other in-orbit resources for daily use. NASA will purchase from Axiom Space the capability to return scientific samples that must be kept cold during transit back to Earth.<\/p>\n

NASA made the selection from proposals received in response to its March 2025 NASA Research Announcement<\/a>. The agency is finalizing the mission order for the sixth private astronaut mission to the space station and will share additional information once available.<\/p>\n

Missions aboard the International Space Station, including private astronaut missions, contribute to advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA\u2019s Moon and Mars<\/a> exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA\u2019s Artemis<\/a> campaign.<\/p>\n

Learn more about NASA\u2019s commercial space strategy at:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercial-space<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

-end-<\/p>\n

Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
james.j.russell@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Anna Schneider \/ Joseph Zakrzewski
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ joseph.a.zakrzewski@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

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