Axiom Space has revised the assembly order of its commercial space station. This will allow it to move more quickly to free flight and at the same time meet NASA’s needs in preparation for the ISS vaulting from orbit.
In 2020, Axiom Space won a NASA contract to build a private segment of the ISS, which was later to separate from it and become an independent orbital station. At the time, it was envisioned to consist of two habitation, science, and power modules. The launch of the first residential module to the ISS was scheduled for 2024.
As it often happens subsequently Axiom Space had to adjust its plans and change the launch date of the first module to the ISS – first to 2025 and then to the end of 2026. Given that NASA still plans to operate the ISS until 2030, this raised the legitimate question of whether Axiom would have time to assemble its private segment.
Moreover, NASA’s decision to commission SpaceX to build the USDV spacecraft that will deorbit the ISS has created a logistical problem. The fact is that the USDV must dock with the Node 2 Forward docking port. It was this port that was to be used for the Axiom segment. With its creation being delayed, this created the risk of a situation where NASA would have to deorbit the ISS and the Axiom segment would not yet be assembled.
As a result, the company had to revise the order of assembly of its station. The first to go to the ISS will be the PPTM module, which will provide the future station with heat and power, as well as equipped with eight racks for scientific equipment. It will dock at one of the two ports currently used by Cygnus cargo ships.
After Axiom launches the Hab1 habitable module, PPTM will undock from the ISS and dock with it. This will result in a basic configuration of two modules capable of accommodating four people. Axiom then plans to launch an airlock module, a second hab module and a research module. Each module will have its power and thermal capabilities. The first habitation module will also get a robotic arm that will be used to reconfigure the station.
The production of modules for Axiom is being handled by Thales Alenia Space Italia. It has already started work on the PPTM, using components that were originally fabricated for the hab modules. The company hopes to launch the PPTM in 2027 and the Hab1 module in 2028. It is also considering the possibility of transferring some ISS payloads and equipment to the PPTM before it separates from the station.
Provided by Spacenews
