Axiom Station

Between 2020 and 2024, Axiom Space intended to assemble four modules in a dedicated segment docked to the ISS before detaching them to form the free-flying Axiom Station. The company released preliminary plans in February 2020 for how the Axiom Orbital Segment could form the basis for the Axiom Station, constructed out of the Axiom Segment and additional elements upon ISS retirement and separation, including a power and thermal module with an airlock. The company planned to launch its first four modules in consecutive years starting from the mid-2020s. The interior concept of the crew quarters of Axiom Orbital Segment was conceived in 2018 by French architect and designer Philippe Starck. Renderings of the habitat show a chamber with walls that are covered with tufted padding and studded with hundreds of color-changing LEDs. The Axiom Orbital Segment is intended to have amenities including high-speed Wi-Fi, video screens, picture windows and a glass-walled cupola – which Axiom calls "the largest window observatory ever constructed for the space environment". In December 2024, Axiom Space announced a change in their station assembly plans. Instead of assembling the Axiom Orbital Segment at the ISS, the station was now planned to fly independently after the launch of the Habitat One (Hab-1) module. The Payload Power Thermal Module would be launched first and dock with the ISS while awaiting the launch of Hab-1, after which it would detach from the ISS and form the Axiom Station upon connecting with Hab-1. == Planned modules ==

Each Axiom Station module is an independent spacecraft equipped with all the systems needed to maneuver in orbit, including propulsion. PPTM Axiom's first module, the Payload Power Thermal Module (PPTM), is scheduled to be launched to the ISS no earlier than 2027. Hab-1 Axiom's second module, Habitat One (Hab-1), is expected to be launched no earlier than 2028. It will have propulsion, guidance, navigation and station control systems. The first windowed pressurized module is approximately 11 meters long and 4.2 meters in diameter at the widest part. When Hab-1 is launched into orbit, PPTM will undock from the ISS and dock with Hab-1, forming the initial two-module free-flying Axiom Station. RMF Axiom's fifth module, the Research and Manufacturing Facility Module with Earth Observatory (RMF), is expected to be launched in the early 2030s. The Earth Observatory is a glass-walled cupola attached to the RMF. It is planned to be a six meter spherical inflatable module The directors of SEE, Dmitry Lesnevsky and Elena Lesnevsky, have been pursuing film shootings for a future movie with Tom Cruise at the station. MPLM The Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM) is planned to be modified and installed on Axiom Station after the ISS is decommissioned. == Construction ==

Manufacturing Axiom Space signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space for Thales Alenia to manufacture and test the primary structure and the Micrometeoroid & Debris Protection System (or MDPS) for both Hab-1 and Hab-2. Thales Alenia Space is in the process of machining the primary structure of Hab-1. With the completion of the Manufacturing Readiness Review on September 21, 2021, Thales Alenia began welding the cone panels of Hab-1. The primary structure for Hab-1 is expected to be delivered from Italy to Houston, Texas in early 2023 where Axiom Space will complete assembly and integration of all systems before launch. There have been no announcements as to which rocket will carry the Axiom Station modules into Low Earth orbit. The first module, PPTM, is planned to attach to one of two ISS ports currently used by cargo spacecraft. PPTM will separate from the ISS and berth to Hab-1 once that module is launched. The Airlock Module (AL), Hab-2 and RMF will then follow in that order. == Purpose ==

Scientific research Axiom Station is planned to have a lab module, RMF, to provide opportunities for Low Earth orbit research and manufacturing. Commercial station Axiom Station is planned to have space for general commercial use, such as the SEE-1 entertainment module. == See also ==