Today Axiom Space announced it is planning history's first fully private human 
spaceflight to the International Space Station. 

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 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.

"This history-making flight will represent a watershed moment in the march 
toward universal and routine access to space," Axiom CEO Michael Suffredini 
said. "This will be just the first of many missions to ISS to be completely 
crewed and managed by Axiom Space - a first for a commercial entity. Procuring 
the transportation marks significant progress toward that goal, and we're glad 
to be working with SpaceX in this effort."

This is the first of Axiom's proposed "precursor missions" to the ISS 
envisioned under its 2016 Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA. Discussions with 
NASA are underway to establish additional enabling agreements for the private 
astronaut missions to ISS. 

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. 

"Since 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," said SpaceX President and Chief Operating 
Officer Gwynne Shotwell. "Now, 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."

With its team's 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's turnkey service for the mission - two days in transit and at least 
eight days aboard the ISS - includes training, mission planning, hardware 
development, life support, medical support, crew provisions, hardware and 
safety certifications, on-orbit operations and overall mission management.

NASA recently selected Axiom's proposal to attach its space station modules to 
the ISS beginning in the second half of 2024, ultimately creating a new 'Axiom 
Segment' which will expand the station's 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.

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.

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space was founded in 2016 with the aim of creating humanity's 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's 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.

CONTACT: Beau Holder, beau@axiomspace.com

SOURCE  Axiom Space