Axiom Space, a company that aims to launch a private space station, has selected a builder for two critical modules for the commercial orbital platform.
The new trade agreement marks a step forward in Axiom Space’s quest to add a new module to the International Space Station (ISS): one that will become a separate station once the ISS is exorbitant.
In January, NASA agreed to allow Axiom Space, a Houston-based company, build a new space station module That would launch in 2024 and increase the amount of living space that astronauts have to work with on the ISS. When the space station retires, the Axiom Space component will separate and come to life as a separate trading post. Now Axiom has hired Thales Alenia Space, a European space company, to design and build two crucial components of that module.
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“The legacy of the International Space Station structure is one of safety and reliability despite the enormous technical complexity,” said Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space, who spent a decade as manager of NASA’s ISS program. he said in a statement. “We are delighted to combine the experience of Axiom’s human space flight with the experience of Thales Alenia Space to build the next stage of human settlement in low Earth orbit from a base that is tried and tested.”
The two components covered by the agreement are the Axiom Room Module and a micrometeoroid protection system for Axiom Node One (a connection module), both pressurized, according to the statement. But this will just the first time Thales Alenia sends station components into orbit. In fact, when Axiom launches the entire module, it will dock with a space station node that was casually built by Thales Alenia.
“This mission is an important step to enable the development of independent commercial destinations and foster the growth of a strong and competitive low-earth orbit economy,” said Massimo Comparini, senior executive vice president, Thales Alenia Space, in the same statement. “Together with our partner Axiom, we are happy to participate in this new company for the construction of the new sustainable project low earth orbit market based on commercial space destinations. “
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