{"id":21351,"date":"2020-03-05T16:13:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T21:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21351"},"modified":"2020-03-05T18:42:03","modified_gmt":"2020-03-05T23:42:03","slug":"axiom-space-contracts-spacex-to-take-private-astronauts-to-the-iss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21351","title":{"rendered":"Axiom Space contracts SpaceX to take private astronauts to the ISS"},"content":{"rendered":"

SpaceX<\/a> gets a second contract for a commercial human mission to low earth orbit on the Crew Dragon just a couple of weeks after the first one<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Axiom Space plans first-ever fully private human spaceflight mission
\nto International Space Station<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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HOUSTON <\/strong>\u2013 Today Axiom Space<\/a> announced it is planning history\u2019s first fully private human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station.<\/p>\n

Axiom has signed a contract with SpaceX for a Crew Dragon flight which will transport a commander professionally trained by Axiom alongside three private astronauts<\/a> to and from the International Space Station. The mission, set to launch as soon as the second half of 2021, will allow the crew to live aboard the ISS and experience at least eight days of microgravity and views of Earth that can only be fully appreciated in the large, venerable station.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis history-making flight will represent a watershed moment in the march toward universal and routine access to space,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Axiom CEO Michael Suffredini said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be just the first of many missions to ISS to be completely crewed and managed by Axiom Space \u2013 a first for a commercial entity. Procuring the transportation marks significant progress toward that goal, and we\u2019re glad to be working with SpaceX in this effort.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This is the first of Axiom\u2019s proposed \u201cprecursor missions\u201d to the ISS envisioned under its Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA. Discussions with NASA are underway to establish additional enabling agreements for the private astronaut missions to ISS.<\/p>\n

Axiom plans to offer professional and private astronaut flights to ISS at a rate of up to two per year to align with flight opportunities as they are made available by NASA, while simultaneously constructing its own privately funded space station.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince 2012, SpaceX has been delivering cargo to the International Space Station in partnership with NASA and later this year, we will fly NASA astronauts for the first time,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, thanks to Axiom and their support from NASA, privately crewed missions will have unprecedented access to the space station, furthering the commercialization of space and helping usher in a new era of human exploration.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

With its team\u2019s vast experience in human spaceflight, Axiom serves as a one-stop shop overseeing all elements of its missions. In addition to contracting with SpaceX for a Crew Dragon vehicle to transport its crew to the ISS, Axiom\u2019s turnkey service for the mission \u2013 two days in transit and at least eight days aboard the ISS \u2013 includes training, mission planning, hardware development, life support, medical support, crew provisions, hardware and safety certifications, on-orbit operations and overall mission management.<\/p>\n

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A phenomenal view \u2013 the world as seen by NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg from the Cupola of the International Space Station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NASA recently selected Axiom\u2019s proposal to attach its space station modules to the ISS beginning in the second half of 2024, ultimately creating a new \u2018Axiom Segment\u2019 which will expand the station\u2019s usable and habitable volume. When the ISS reaches its retirement date, the Axiom complex will detach and operate as a free-flying commercial space station.<\/p>\n

By serving the market for immediate access to space while building the future platform for a global user base, Axiom is leading the development and settlement of low Earth orbit now and into the future.<\/p>\n

About Axiom Space: <\/strong>Axiom Space was founded in 2016 with the aim of creating humanity\u2019s home in space to ensure a prosperous future for everyone, everywhere. While building and launching the Axiom Segment of the International Space Station to one day form the world\u2019s first commercial space station, Axiom provides access to the ISS today by conducting crewed missions for professional and private astronauts. More information about Axiom can be found at www.axiomspace.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Begin the countdown to the first-ever fully private human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station.<\/p>\n

The historic first Axiom crew will be transported on a @SpaceX<\/a> Crew Dragon. pic.twitter.com\/5XfJQ5czvK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) March 5, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n