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Axiom Orbital Segment

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For the company behind this project, see Axiom Space.

Axiom Station
Artist's rendering of concept design for Axiom Station berthed at the forward port of Harmony
Station statistics
Launch2026 (planned)
Carrier rocketUndecided
Launch padUndecided
Mission statusUnder construction[1]

Axiom Orbital Segment or Axiom Segment (or AxS) are the planned modular components of the International Space Station (ISS) designed by Houston, Texas-based Axiom Space for commercial space activities. Axiom Space gained initial NASA approval for the venture in January 2020. Axiom Space was later awarded the contract by NASA on February 28, 2020.[2] This orbital station will be separated from the ISS to become a modular space station, Axiom Station, after the ISS is decommissioned.

External image
image icon Axiom Station modules infographic

Axiom Segment

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At least four Axiom modules are planned to attach to the International Space Station. The first module is scheduled to be launched in late 2026[3] and is to attach to the forward port of the ISS module Harmony, requiring relocation of the Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA-2) to any other ports on ISS, such as Harmony nadir. Axiom Space plans to attach at least three additional modules to its first core module,[when?] and send private astronauts to inhabit the modules.[4]

Axiom renderings illustrate how the four modules might attach to the ISS as they are berthed and relocated by the Mobile Servicing System using the robotic arm Canadarm2.[5][6]

Axiom Station

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The company released preliminary plans in February 2020 for how the Axiom Orbital Segment could form the basis for the Axiom Station, a potential future space station, constructed out of the Axiom Segment and additional elements upon ISS retirement and separation, including a power and thermal module with an airlock.[7][non-primary source needed] The company plans to launch its first module to the ISS in 2026,[3] with the second, third and fourth launching in consecutive years afterward.[8][9][10]

The interior concept of the crew quarters of Axiom Orbital Segment was conceived in 2018 by French architect and designer Philippe Starck. Renderings of the habitat show a chamber with walls that are covered with tufted padding and studded with hundreds of color-changing LEDs.[11] The Axiom Orbital Segment is intended to have amenities including high-speed Wi-Fi, video screens, picture windows and a glass-walled cupola – which Axiom calls "the largest window observatory ever constructed for the space environment".[12]

Each Axiom Station module is an independent spacecraft equipped with all the systems needed to maneuver in orbit – including propulsion.[13]

Planned modules

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AxH1

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Axiom's first module, Hab One, is expected to launch in late 2026.[3] It will provide quarters for four crew members and volume to accommodate research and manufacturing applications. Each personal crew quarter is equipped with a large Earth-viewing window and touch-screen communications panel. A docking adapter allows visiting vehicles to dock to the Axiom Station; four radial ports on the Hub provide for the addition of future modules and increase the station's docking capability.[14][15] It will have propulsion, guidance, navigation and station control systems. The first windowed pressurized module is approximately 11 meters long and 4.2 meters in diameter at the widest part.[10] Thales Alenia Space reported significant progress on the fabrication of the module in early 2024.[16]

AxSEE-1

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External image
image icon Animation of docked and inflated AxSEE-1.

Axiom Space plans to manufacture the SEE-1 module for the British company Space Entertainment Enterprise (or S.E.E.).[17][18] It is planned to be a six meter spherical inflatable module[19] and to fulfill the purpose of a first entertainment studio in space. SEE-1 is expected to launch after AxH1 arrives at the ISS.[20]

The directors of SEE, Dmitry Lesnevsky and Elena Lesnevsky, have additionally been pursuing film shootings for a future movie with Tom Cruise at the station.[19]

AxH2

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Axiom's Hab Two module is expected to launch no earlier than 2027.[3][8] It will provide quarters for an additional four crew members allowing the station to support up to eight crew.[14][15] It provides complete ECLSS support, commercial high data satellite communications and a Canadarm 3 styled Remote manipulator system for the Axiom Station.[21]

AxRMF

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Axiom's Research & Manufacturing Facility module is expected to launch in the late 2020s.[14][15] It provides access to the unique microgravity environment as a platform to conduct innovative research, product development, process improvement, and manufacturing.[22]

AxEO

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Axiom Earth Observatory interior. Scheduled to be launched in the late 2020s.

Axiom's Earth Observatory is expected to be a glass-walled cupola planned to launch in the late 2020s.[15][14]

AxPT

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Axiom's Power Thermal module is planned to provide power and thermal capacity equivalent to that of the ISS via solar array to support the station so that Axiom Station will be self-supporting once it disconnects from the ISS. It is expected to launch in the late 2020s.[15][14] Until AxPT is launched, Axiom Station will be relying on the ISS to help provide power. AxPT also adds EVA capability to the station.[22]

AxPLM

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The Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM) is planned to be modified and installed on Axiom Station after the ISS is decommissioned.[23]

Construction

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Manufacturing

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Axiom Space signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space for Thales Alenia to manufacture and test the primary structure and the Micrometeoroid & Debris Protection System (or MDPS) for both AxH1 and AxH2.[24] Thales Alenia Space is in the process of machining the primary structure of AxH1. With the completion of the Manufacturing Readiness Review on September 21, 2021, Thales Alenia began welding the cone panels of AxH1. The primary structure for AxH1 is expected to be delivered from Italy to Houston, Texas in early 2023 where Axiom Space will complete assembly and integration of all systems before launch.[10]

Assembly

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There have been no announcements as to which rocket will carry the AxS modules into Low Earth orbit. The first module, AxH1, is planned to attach to the forward port of Harmony.[2] The SEE-1 module is planned to berth on one of the radial ports of AxH1. AxH2 will then berth on the forward port of AxH1. AxPT is planned to berth on the Zenith port of either AxH1 or AxH2.[5] As Axiom Station is a modular space station, the modules may be moved to different ports as needed.

Axiom is, under agreements between the US and India, looking into diversifying its launch providers and possibly using Indian or European launch systems.[25]

Purpose

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Scientific research

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Axiom Station is planned to have a lab module, AxRMF, to provide opportunities for Low Earth orbit research and manufacturing.

Commercial station

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Axiom Station is also planned to have space for general commercial use, such as the SEE-1 entertainment module.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "A step closer to the Axiom Commercial Space Station". Thales Group. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b Northon, Karen (27 January 2020). "NASA Selects First Commercial Destination Module for Space Station". NASA. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Foust, Jeff (13 December 2023). "SpaceX yet to select launch pad for next Axiom Space private astronaut mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 13 December 2023. Ondler said in the briefing that the first of those modules is now scheduled to launch to the ISS at the end of 2026, about a year later than the company previously announced.
  4. ^ "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station module". SpaceNews. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Assembly Sequence: Watch the Axiom Segment of the ISS constructed module-by-module". Axiom Space. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  6. ^ "A Private Space Station Might Be Born From the ISS". seeker.com. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Axiom Commercial Space Station". Axiom Space. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  8. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (14 October 2022). "Commercial space station developers seek clarity on regulations". SpaceNews. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  9. ^ Corbett, Tobias (28 January 2020). "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station segment". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  10. ^ a b c "A step closer to the Axiom Commercial Space Station". Thales Group. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  11. ^ "French designer creates womblike habitat for space tourists". NBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  12. ^ Corbett, Tobias (27 January 2020). "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station segment". NASASpaceFlight.com.
  13. ^ @Axiom_Space (31 August 2021). "Each Axiom Station module is an independent spacecraft equipped with all the systems needed to maneuver in orbit – propulsion among them. Progress on the thrusters, developed in-house, continues apace with this test unit undergoing new and progressively longer hotfire cycles" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Axiom Commercial Space Station". Axiom Space. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d e "News & Media". Axiom Space. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  16. ^ "The welding of the forward cone to the cylinder bulkhead marks a significant evolution of the primary structure of Ax- H1".
  17. ^ "Press – Space Entertainment Enterprise". www.seespacearena.com. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  18. ^ "SEE - Space Entertainment Enterprise". www.seespacearena.com. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Bigelow Aerospace transfers BEAM space station module to NASA". SpaceNews. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  20. ^ "RELEASE – Axiom selected to build inflatable microgravity media venue". Axiom Space. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  21. ^ Boucher, Marc (4 May 2022). "Canadarm3 technology to be included on Axiom commercial space station". SpaceQ. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Axiom Space Builds World's First Commercial Space Station". Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  23. ^ Leinfelder, Andrea (27 April 2023). "NASA's Super Guppy delivers space shuttle module for reuse on Axiom Space's commercial station". Houston Chronicle. Houston, Texas. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Thales Alenia Space to provide the first two pressurized modules for Axiom Space Station". Thales Group. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  25. ^ Kuthunur, Sharmila (8 November 2024). "Axiom Space looks to India and Europe for rockets to help build its private space station". Space.com. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
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