Houston-based Axiom Space successfully launched its Axiom Mission 3, which is headed to the International Space Station as part of the company’s low-Earth-orbit program, this week. Axiom projects that the crew could dock with the station's Harmony module as early as 5:19 a.m. Central Time on Jan. 20.
The Ax-3 crew members are scheduled to stay aboard the ISS for 14 days, conducting over 30 experiments and over 50 outreach engagements. Research will be focused on the effects of microgravity on human physiology as well as exploring the potential for low-Earth-orbit manufacturing, something Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini identified as a cornerstone of the company’s plans last year.
Ax-3 is the third of four planned commercial missions to the ISS that Axiom Space is undertaking in partnership with California-based SpaceX. The crew launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and a Dragon spacecraft is bringing them to the station.
The Ax-3 crew consists of:
- Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, representing the U.S. and Spain, is Axiom Space’s chief astronaut and previously commanded Ax-1.
- Pilot Walter Villadei currently serves in the Italian Air Force and Axiom Space said he is Italy’s first trained cosmonaut.
- Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı of Turkey is the country’s first astronaut to go to space.
- Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt is the first astronaut of the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Group to go into space.
Axiom Space’s crew selection represents another global partnership for the company following its agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Ax-2’s crew, which completed their mission last year. This crew represents the first all-European commercial mission to launch to the ISS.
Axiom Space’s focus on low-Earth-orbit research is part of the company’s long-term goals of providing a replacement to the ISS, which NASA confirmed is set to be completely retired in 2031. Axiom Space is one of several companies vying to produce a free-flying replacement, with the Houston-based company taking steps to produce the Axiom Station in the Bayou City.
One of those steps is the opening of the first phase of its 22-acre Houston Spaceport campus in December. The Axiom Space Assembly Integration and Test Building houses the company’s local headquarters and will be the assembly hub for the planned station, which Axiom Space said will be launched in phases timed to coincide with the ISS’ retirement.
Axiom Space has seen significant investor interest thanks to its completed missions and ambitious space station goals. Last year, the company closed one of the largest single funding rounds in Houston, landing a $350 million Series C round in August co-led by Saudi Arabia-based Aljazira Capital and South Korea-based Boryung Ltd. According to Pitchbook, the funding pushed Axiom Space just behind SpaceX in terms of capital raised by private space companies, and the round was the largest in Texas in the third quarter of 2023.
The company also added to its leadership team after the round, bringing in aerospace executive Mike Lungiarello to succeed West Griffin as CFO.
