Axiom Space signs blockbuster deal with SpaceX to fly three additional Axiom private crew missions to ISS through 2023

• A landmark agreement between Axiom Space and SpaceX confirms Axiom's next three planned missions to the International Space Station will fly on SpaceX's Dragon, in addition to Ax-1.

• The growing partnership between Axiom and SpaceX - the industry leaders in human spaceflight and in orbital services and launch, respectively - solidifies the nascent commercial human spaceflight market

• The missions, both managed and launched by private companies, are a validation of NASA's Commercial Crew strategy to enable a commercial marketplace in low-Earth orbit

HOUSTON — 2 June 2021

Signed, sealed, and delivered: the commercialization of low-Earth orbit is in full swing.

Axiom Space revealed Wednesday that it has finalized a deal with SpaceX for three additional Dragon flights, on which Axiom would fly its proposed private crews on its next three fully commercial missions to the International Space Station. The landmark agreement between the industry leaders in human spaceflight as well as launch and orbital services, respectively, ensures the nascent commercial human spaceflight market’s growth will subsist.

Developed by SpaceX as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew program, the Dragon spacecraft has already flown three successful human spaceflight missions to the ISS. Those flights – Demo-2, Crew-1, and Crew-2 – were NASA missions carrying government astronauts from the ISS partner agencies.

In a validation of NASA’s strategy to support commercial development of human spaceflight capability in hopes of fostering a marketplace, Axiom’s planned missions would mark the first private crews to make the same trip.

Ax-1, Axiom’s historic first private ISS mission, has already been approved by NASA and targeted for launch to the ISS no earlier than Jan. 2022, also aboard Dragon as a result of a deal the companies signed in March 2020. Axiom last week revealed legendary astronaut Peggy Whitson and champion GT racer John Shoffner would serve as commander and pilot on its proposed Ax-2 mission – now confirmed to be a Dragon flight.

So, too, are Ax-3 and Ax-4.

Axiom previously entered into a broad agreement with NASA enabling it to fly private astronaut missions to the space station and will compete to fly each as the agency opens opportunities. All-inclusive Axiom missions include training, provisions, and operational management, are commanded by experienced astronauts, and are built around the crew’s preferred scientific research and educational programs.

Axiom’s “precursor missions” prepare the way for the launch and integration to the ISS Harmony node of the Axiom Station modules beginning in 2024. By 2028, Axiom Station will be ready to detach and operate as the ISS’ privately owned successor, forming the core layer of infrastructure in orbit for years to come.

The growing partnership between Axiom and SpaceX thus lays the groundwork for a long-term destination for Dragon, more humans in space, and a burgeoning economy in low-Earth orbit – realizing a dream long-held by advocates of commercial space.

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leader in providing space infrastructure as a service, Axiom operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while privately developing its successor – a permanent commercial destination in Earth’s orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. More information about Axiom can be found at www.axiomspace.com.

Inquiries: beau@axiomspace.com