NASA Chooses Axiom Space to Build First Habitable Commercial Module for ISS

By Cheena 28-Jan-2020

NASA has chosen Axiom Space to set up at least one habitable commercial module that will be attached to the International Space Station (ISS), it said in a statement. The module will be the first commercial destination for future commercial spaceflight missions. It will attach to ISS Node 2 forward port. The module is expected to house experiments and technology developments for the space scientists. NASA is aiming to enable the development of independent commercial destinations in space that can meet its needs in the low-Earth orbit (LEO).
“The element will attach to the space station's Node 2 forward port to demonstrate its ability to provide products and services and begin the transition to a sustainable low-Earth orbit economy in which NASA is one of many customers,” said the US space agency.
NASA has said that developing a commercial destination in LEO is one of the five parts of its plans to open the ISS to new commercial and marketing opportunities. Its plan also includes efforts to make ISS and its crew resources available for commercial use, enable private astronaut missions to the ISS, and stimulate long term demand for these services.
“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,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.