The segment will consist of a node module, research, and manufacturing facility, crew habitat, and a large-windowed Earth observatory. NASA's announcement marked a new phase in the evolution of the ISS
FREMONT, CA: Texas-based Axiom Space will install the first commercial habitat module on the International Space Station (ISS). NASA announced that Axiom Space would provide the first part of what will later be called the Axiom Segment of the ISS. The segment will consist of a node module, research, and manufacturing facility, crew habitat, and a large-windowed Earth observatory. NASA's announcement marked a new phase in the evolution of the ISS.
Recently, the US government has been promoting companies to directly participate in manned space flights rather than acting as NASA contractors. The Axiom Segment is part of the same. Once installed in 2024, the Axiom module will operate under a five-year base performance period and a two-year option to provide products and services through the NASA policy of making the station available under a new commercial use and pricing policy. Axiom Space plans to fly two or three manned missions to the ISS every year.
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Set up in 1991, the ISS has been operational for 21 years now and is nearing its end of the service period, approximately 2030. Having anticipated this, Axiom Space has already drawn up plans to keep the Axiom Segment operational. Once the ISS is decommissioned, Axiom will launch an extensive power system that can be attached to the Axiom Segment. This will allow the segment to disconnect from the ISS and become a free-flying, internationally available space station.
According to Axiom Space, the new station will cost much lesser than the ISS, and the introduction of a private space station will help clear up a considerable chunk of its annual budget. "Axiom’s work to develop a commercial destination in space is a critical step for NASA to meet its long-term needs for astronaut training, scientific research, and technology demonstrations in low-Earth orbit," says NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. "We are transforming the way NASA works with the industry to benefit the global economy and advance space exploration. It is a similar partnership that this year will return the capability of American astronauts to launch to the space station on American rockets from American soil."
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