NASA has announced that it has chosen Axiom Space to provide the first commercially developed and operated module for the International Space Station. In the announcement NASA said, “This selection is a significant step toward enabling the development of independent commercial destinations that meet NASA’s long-terms needs in low-Earth orbit, beyond the life of the space station, and continue to foster the growth of a robust low-Earth orbit economy.”
The award was granted under the NextSTEP-2 Appendix I solicitation, which sought to grant access to the International Space Station's Node 2 Forward port for a commercial space station that could ultimately serve as ISS' replacement.
Mike Suffredini, CEO of Axiom, said in a followup press release, “We appreciate the bold decision on the part of NASA to open up a commercial future in Low Earth Orbit. This selection is a recognition of the uniquely qualified nature of the Axiom team and our commercial plan to create and support a thriving, sustainable, and American-led LEO ecosystem.”
After the first Axiom segment is launched and attached to Station the company will begin sending crewed flights to the expanding Axiom Complex. Once ISS’s retirement plans are solidified, Axiom will launch the power and propulsion module necessary for Axiom Station to detach and become an independent, free flying, space station.
Starbridge invested in Axiom because it was clear that the commercialization of Low Earth Orbit required a commercial platform. While the International Space Station is great platform for basic research and proofs of concept, it is ill suited for manufacturing at any commercially useful scale.
Rather than simply reacting to what the market provides in terms of of investible space companies, Starbridge invests to create capabilities that future investments can capitalize on. Our investment in Axiom ensures that portfolio companies like Made In Space and others have a facility that meets their manufacturing needs.