Axiom Orbital Segment

Axiom Orbital Segment and Axiom Segment are names given to the planned components of the International Space Station (ISS) designed by Axiom Space for commercial space activities and space tourism uses. Axiom Space gained NASA approval for the venture in January 2020. Up to three Axiom modules will attach to the International Space Station. The first module could be launched no later than 2024 and will docked to the forward port of Harmony, requiring relocation of the of PMA-2. Axiom Space plans to attach up to two additional modules to its first core module, and send private astronauts to inhabit the modules.[1]

Axiom renderings show in detail how modules will attach to the ISS and are relocated by the Mobile Servicing System, specifically the Canadarm2.[2]

The Axiom Orbital Segment will for the basis for the Axiom Station, a future planned space station, constructed out of the Axiom Segment and additional elements upon ISS retirement and separation, including a power and thermal module with an airlock.[3] The company targets the mid-2020s for its first module to attach to the ISS and the late-2020s for station completion. The plan is to the proposed Russian space station OPSEK, which would reuse the Russian Orbital Segment as its basis.

The interior of the Axiom Orbital Segment is designed 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.[4] The Axiom Orbital Segment will 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."[5]

See also

References
  1. "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station module". SpaceNews.com. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  2. "Assembly Sequence: Watch the Axiom Segment of the ISS constructed module-by-module". Axiom Space. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  3. "Axiom Space - Axiom Commercial Space Station". Axiomspace Jan2020. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  4. "French designer creates womblike habitat for space tourists". NBC News. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  5. Corbett, Tobias (2020-01-27). "NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station segment". NASASpaceflight.com.
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