Axiom Space

Axiom Station

In Development

Commercial successor to the ISS, assembled in stages: a Payload Power Thermal Module (PPTM) berths to the ISS first (early 2028), then detaches to join the Hab-1 habitat as a free-flying station within months, later expanded with an airlock, Hab-2, and a Research & Manufacturing Facility with a windowed Earth observatory. Primary structures are in fabrication at Thales Alenia Space, with final assembly at Axiom's Houston Spaceport facility.

Latest update Sep 10, 2026

Axiom Station

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Current status

PPTM launch target slipped from NET 2027 to early 2028 (reported Feb 2026); primary structure fabrication continues at Thales Alenia Space, with Redwire awarded a September 2025 contract for the module's roll-out solar arrays; awaiting NASA CLD Phase 2 outcome after a September 4, 2026 presolicitation slipped the final RFP from late August to the end of September 2026 (award still targeted spring 2027)

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Specifications4

First module launch
Early 2028 (PPTM to ISS), slipped from NET 2027
Free-flyer capability
Hab-1 to join PPTM within months of PPTM launch
Planned modules
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PPTM, Hab-1, airlock, Hab-2, research/manufacturing facility

Solar array supplier
Redwire

contracted Sept 2025, roll-out arrays for PPTM

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Upcoming milestones3

Announced next steps from Axiom Space that mention Axiom Station.

  1. Spring 2027

    NASA Commercial LEO Destinations Phase 2 award

    NASA released the draft CLD Phase 2 solicitation on July 6, 2026 ($1-1.5B in funding FY2026-2031, minimum two awards, crewed flight test required by 2029) and closed the industry feedback window on July 27. The program survived a detour: NASA's March 2026 'Ignition' realignment floated buying a government-owned core module for commercial add-ons to dock with instead of certifying standalone free-flyers, before industry pushback (including from the Commercial Space Federation) led NASA to reverse course in early June 2026 and confirm the original full-and-open, firm-fixed-price competition. NASA posted a CLDC presolicitation on September 4, 2026 saying the final RFP is now anticipated at the end of September 2026 (slipped from late August), with offers due 60 days after release and contract award still targeted for spring 2027. Winning is pivotal to Axiom Station's anchor-customer economics against Vast, Starlab, and Blue Origin.

  2. Early 2028

    Launch of first Axiom Station module (PPTM) to the ISS

    The Payload Power Thermal Module - carrying power, thermal systems, and eight science racks - will berth to an ISS cargo port before later detaching to anchor the free-flying station. The primary structure is in fabrication at Thales Alenia Space in Turin (Redwire was awarded a September 2025 contract for its roll-out solar arrays), with final integration in Houston; the target has slipped from NET 2027 to early 2028.

  3. As early as 2028

    Free-flying Axiom Station (Hab-1 joins PPTM)

    Hab-1, with four crew quarters and initial research and manufacturing capability, launches within months of PPTM; the two modules mate in an independent orbit to form a free-flying station, ahead of ISS retirement around 2030. Reverified September 12, 2026: Axiom's station page still lists PPTM then Hab-1 as the free-flyer pair, and no later launch date has been published.

  1. Axiom and ESA sign MoU on missions and cargo

    Axiom Space and the European Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding at ESA headquarters in Paris on September 10, 2026. The partners will explore astronaut missions to the ISS and Axiom Station, European cargo return, a possible European crew vehicle, and AxEMU EVA and lunar training at the European Astronaut Centre. The MoU is exploratory and does not announce a funded flight.

    Axiom Space

  2. Axiom Space names new CFO and CIO for space-station push

    Axiom Space said on July 15 it appointed Zach Gitomer as chief financial officer and Erick Wegerer as chief information officer, filling out its executive team as it develops the Axiom Station commercial space station, flies private astronaut missions and builds Artemis moonwalking spacesuits. Gitomer, who has advised on roughly 100 financing and M&A transactions worth nearly $100 billion, oversees finance and capital markets, while Wegerer - previously CIO at Boeing subsidiary Insitu - leads information systems and cybersecurity. The hires continue a stabilization drive following heavy 2024–2025 leadership churn and cash strains, after Axiom closed an oversubscribed $525M-plus round in June.

    Axiom Space

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More from Axiom Space3

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