NASA selects Axiom Space for fifth private mission to ISS, targeted Jan 2027

NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than January 2027 from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "The award of our fifth private astronaut mission shows that commercial space is not a distant promise, but a present reality," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

"By expanding access and sharpening competition in low Earth orbit, these missions are building the capabilities NASA will rely on as we move outward to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We look forward to building upon those capabilities with many private astronaut missions to come." Axiom Mission 5 is expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the space station.

"The International Space Station is a critical platform for enabling commercial industry in low Earth orbit," said Dana Weigel, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. "Private astronaut missions allow the station to be used as a proving ground for new markets and technologies while enabling science, research, and outreach to contribute to a growing space economy." Axiom Space will submit four proposed crew members to NASA and its international partners for review; once approved and confirmed they will train with NASA, international partners, and the launch provider for their mission.

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