Axiom Space: Pioneering the world’s first commercial space station
March 20, 2025
Axiom Space is on the cusp of making history with the launch of the world’s first fully commercial space station. Speaking to Aerospace Global News at the Farnborough International Space Show on 19 March, Axiom’s Chief Revenue Officer, Tejpaul Bhatia, shed light on the company’s groundbreaking initiatives, its pivotal role in maintaining a human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and its ambitious plans for space exploration.
Axiom Space’s journey began eight years ago and in 2020 was awarded a contract by NASA to dock its modules onto the International Space Station (ISS). NASA’s intention was clear—to prevent any gap in human presence in LEO once the ISS is deorbited in 2030. “Without a commercial station in place, humanity’s foothold in space would be at risk,” Bhatia said.
Since securing the contract with NASA, Axiom Space has expanded its role beyond building a commercial space station. The company has launched three missions to the ISS—AX-1 (the first all private astronaut mission to the ISS) in 2022, AX-2 (which included the first female Arab astronaut and was launched in collaboration with the Saudi government) in 2023, and AX-3 (the first all European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS) in 2024. A fourth mission (AX-4) is scheduled for May 2025 and will see astronauts from India, Hungary and Poland embark on their first journey to the ISS.
Beyond these missions, Axiom Space is also providing the spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis program, which will take the next humans to the Moon. The Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit will provide astronauts advanced capabilities for space exploration while providing NASA with commercially developed human systems needed to access, live and work on and around the Moon.
The astronaut wears Prada
Axiom Space isn’t just about building a space station—it’s shaping an entire commercial ecosystem in orbit. Bhatia described the company’s business model as falling into three main categories: traditional space, involving partnerships with the major aerospace players; new space, involving collaborations with innovative startups in the sector; and non-space industries including mainstream consumer brands and corporations.
Bhatia explained that one of the more unusual partnerships in Axiom Space’s portfolio is with fashion brand Prada, which has provided advanced materials and design expertise for the Artemis spacesuits. “The joke is that the astronaut wears Prada,” said Bhatia, “but in reality, the Italian fashion house is a strategic investor and it’s advanced engineering team played a key role in designing key components of the suits.” Other notable partnerships for Axiom Space include Amazon, the watch brand Omega, and iconic Italian food brands Barilla and Rana, which contributed gourmet space meals for astronauts.
While some compare Axiom Space to private spaceflight companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, Bhatia clarified the distinction: “We provide the destination, while companies like SpaceX provide the transportation.” He likened the relationship to Uber and Airbnb, where one company enables transportation while the other offers a place to stay.
Indeed, SpaceX has been a crucial partner for Axiom Space, launching all three of its human spaceflight missions to date. Astronauts on AX-4 will also travel aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. The strategic partnership between the two companies further highlights the growing interdependence between private space firms as they push the boundaries of commercial spaceflight.
Not such an astronomical investment
One of the greatest hurdles in developing a commercial space station is funding. “Space missions and exploration are expensive,” Bhatia admitted, however he argued that the investment required is not as astronomical as it may seem when compared to industries like artificial intelligence, which attract far greater funding.
Axiom Space has raised $700 million in venture capital to date and secured multi-billion-dollar contracts. However, the company acknowledges that long-term sustainability will depend on generating cash flow from its station and associated services, rather than relying solely on external investment. “We need a financing model where the business itself is generating revenue to fund future infrastructure,” Bhatia explained.
Bhatia predicts that space will become foundational to various industries, “much like the internet has revolutionised the global economy.” Cloud computing and AI, pharmaceuticals and advanced materials are the three key sectors set to benefit the most from commercial space stations according to Bhatia.
Beyond immediate commercial applications and LEO missions, Bhatia also sees a future where human settlement in space becomes a reality. “We’ve learned how to survive in space. Now we need to learn how to live there,” Bhatia said, revealing that he envisions the first space communities within our lifetime. While these may begin as small research outposts—similar to Antarctic bases—he believes they will eventually evolve into full-fledged habitats.
Space sustainability
As the space industry expands, sustainability becomes a critical issue. Axiom Space is actively working on strategies to minimise space debris, making use of AI-driven tracking systems to avoid collisions and implementing responsible manufacturing practices for its infrastructure and orbital missions.
Bhatia also highlighted an often-overlooked benefit of space infrastructure: sustainability on Earth. “Moving energy-intensive operations like data centres off the planet could significantly reduce carbon emissions and resource consumption. Even with the current energy costs of getting to space, it’s ultimately still more sustainable than continuing to build these systems on Earth,” he argued.
While it has ambitious plans for missions to the Moon and Mars, Axiom Space’s immediate goal is ensuring continuity in LEO by attaching its modules to the ISS before the station is deorbited. The first infrastructure for its orbital data centre is set to launch later this year, with the first modules of Axiom’s space station due to be in place by 2027.
Construction is already underway, with “key components being manufactured in Northern Italy, outfitted in Houston, ready for launch from Orlando. Bhatia is confident, “When we actually see these modules up in space will be in the next 24 months.”
