NASA has awarded Axiom Space a contract to develop and launch the first module of its commercial space station, Axiom Station. The company will launch its Payload, Power, and Thermal Module into orbit early as part of a new assembly sequence.
The revised plan allows Axiom Station to become a free-flying destination in low Earth orbit by 2028, with the goal of providing a sustainable presence for future missions. The module will be followed by additional modules, including Habitat 1, an airlock, and the Research and Manufacturing Facility.
NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program is critical to its plan to procure services in low Earth orbit. The agency aims to maintain its leadership in microgravity research and ensure continued benefits for humanity through commercial partnerships.
The new assembly sequence has been coordinated with NASA to support both agency needs and Axiom Space plans. It will enable an earlier departure from the space station, expedite free-flight operations, and prepare the orbiting laboratory for its retirement in 2030.
As the International Space Station nears the end of its operational life, NASA is transitioning to a new low Earth orbit model. The agency plans to continue leveraging microgravity benefits through commercial partnerships, ensuring continued scientific progress and exploration goals.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/commercial-space/leo-economy/nasa-axiom-space-change-assembly-order-of-commercial-space-station