NASA has announced a collaboration with aerospace company Axiom Space for its second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The space agency said it will now negotiate a mission order agreement with Axiom for Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2). The mission, which will dock a spacecraft to the ISS for a maximum of 14 days, is targeted to launch between September 2022 and June 2023 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US. The agency’s first private mission to space with the same company, called X-1, is scheduled for February 21 next year.
During the Ax-2 mission, will conduct activities in coordination with private astronauts ISS Crew members and flight controllers on the ground. The mission objectives include scientific research and outreach activities. The agency and company will discuss in-orbit activities for private astronauts during all missions.
“We have selected Axiom Space for the second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch before the end of 2022,” NASA Said in a tweet.
In separate statement, NASA explained why it chose Axiom Space for its second private mission. The agency evaluated the mission proposal based on “Axiom’s ability to execute it successfully, NASA’s ability to support it, and its contribution to the agency’s mission and goal of low-Earth orbit commercialization.”
NASA and its international partners will review Axiom’s proposal to select astronauts for the X-2 mission. Prior to approval for lighting, selected crew members must undergo a medical qualification test based on NASA guidelines.
NASA has decided to partner with private companies to develop the space station for commercial activities. The biggest player in this rapidly growing field is Elon Musk-led SpaceX,
Axiom is led by Michael Suffredini, who served as NASA’s program manager from 2005 to 2015. Suffredini founded the company in 2016 with the aim of building private space stations where various customers can visit to conduct research. AX-1 Mission It is led by Michael Lopez-Alegria, a former NASA astronaut and Vice President of Axiom Space.
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