(AGENPARL) – gio 03 agosto 2023 August 03, 2023 
RELEASE 23-085
*NASA Selects Axiom Space for Another Private Space Mission in 2024*
iss069e014837large.jpg
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is pictured docked to the space-facing port on
the International Space Station’s Harmony module. Dragon carried four Axiom
Mission 2 astronauts to the orbital laboratory on May 22, 2023.
*/Credits: NASA/*
NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fourth private astronaut
mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier
than August 2024 from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“I am pleased to see another milestone in our efforts to transition low
Earth orbit from primarily a government-sponsored activity to one where NASA
is one of many customers,” said Phil McAlister, director of commercial
space at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “NASA has been directed to
develop commercial platforms to sustain a continuous United States presence
in low Earth orbit and to transition beyond International Space Station
operations. These private astronaut missions are helping to pave the way for
that transition.”
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is expected to spend up to 14 days docked to the space
station. A specific launch date depends on overall spacecraft traffic to the
orbital outpost, and other planning constraints. NASA and Axiom Space mission
planners will coordinate in-orbit activities for the private astronauts as
they work with station crew members and flight controllers on the ground.
“Our Axiom Space team is looking forward to a fourth mission to the
International Space Station,” said Michael Suffredini, CEO and president of
Axiom Space. “Each mission allows us to build on the foundation we have set
for the world’s first commercial space station, Axiom Station, preparing our
teams and orbital platform to succeed the International Space Station
operations in low Earth orbit. These missions are instrumental in expanding
commercial space activities and access to space for individuals and nations
around the world, as well as developing the knowledge and experience needed
to normalize living and working in microgravity.”
Axiom Space will submit four proposed crew members for the Ax-4 mission to
NASA and its international partners for review. If approved, the prime crew
members for the mission will be confirmed.
The Ax-4 crew members will train with NASA, international partners, and
SpaceX for their flight. Axiom Space has contracted SpaceX as launch provider
for transportation to and from the space station, and to familiarize the
private astronauts with systems, procedures, and emergency preparedness for
the Dragon spacecraft.
Axiom Space is obtaining NASA services via both a mission-specific order and
a reimbursable Space Act Agreement.
Through the mission-specific order, Axiom Space is obtaining from NASA crew
supplies, cargo delivery to space, storage, and in-orbit resources for daily
use. The order also accommodates up to seven contingency days aboard the
space station. This mission is subject to NASA’s pricing policy [1] for the
services that are above space station baseline capabilities.
The order also identifies capabilities NASA may obtain from Axiom Space,
including the return of scientific samples that must be kept cold and other
cargo, and the capability to use the private astronaut mission commander’s
time to complete NASA science or perform tasks for the agency.
Through Space Act Agreements, Axiom Space will reimburse NASA for services to
enable the mission, such as training for crew members and use of facilities
at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and the agency’s Kennedy Space
Center in Florida. In addition, SpaceX has a reimbursable agreements with
NASA Kennedy for launch services.
NASA announced [2] its selection of Axiom Space for the third private
astronaut mission in March. NASA and its international partners are reviewing
the proposed crew members now, and an announcement is expected later this
year. The mission is now targeted to launch no earlier than January 2024.
NASA made the selection for the third and fourth private astronaut missions
from proposals received in response to its September 2022 NASA Research
Announcement [3] and evaluated the mission proposals based on the
provider’s ability to execute a mission successfully, NASA’s ability to
support the proposed mission, and the mission’s contribution to the
agency’s goal of low Earth orbit commercialization.
For more than 22 years, NASA has supported a continuous U.S. human presence
in low Earth orbit. The agency’s goal is a low Earth orbit marketplace where
NASA is one of many customers, and the private sector leads the way. This
strategy will provide services the government needs at a lower cost, enabling
the agency to focus on its Artemis missions to the Moon and eventually Mars
while continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for
those deep space missions.
Learn more about how NASA is fostering a robust commercial low Earth orbit
economy at:
*https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy* [4]
-end-
*Press Contacts*
Josh Finch
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
Rebecca Wickes
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
Alexis DeJarnette
Axiom Space
850-368-9446
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[1] https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy/updates-private-astronaut-mission-pricing-policy/
[2] https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-axiom-space-for-third-private-astronaut-station-mission/
[3] https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy/nasa-wants-to-open-space-to-more-people-supports-private-missions/
[4] https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy