Antalya:US firm Axiom Space is set to have its commercial space station operational before the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030, as announced by the company's CEO, Jonathan Cirtain.
According to Anadolu Agency, Cirtain revealed the company's progress during the 77th International Astronautical Congress. Axiom Space is awaiting a solicitation from NASA for the procurement of services to replace the ISS. Meanwhile, the company is using its own capital to build the space station, with two vehicles currently in production that are scheduled to launch in 2028 and 2029.
NASA is planning to buy services from privately owned and operated space stations instead of building its own replacement for the ISS. The agency issued a draft call for proposals in July, with contract awards expected in spring 2027.
Axiom Space, based in Houston, has already conducted four private astronaut missions to the ISS and is developing spacesuits for NASA's lunar missions. Cirtain, who became CEO in October 2025, commented on the broader competition to create a space economy, emphasizing the potential benefits of space research for humanity on Earth.
Cirtain also noted the geopolitical competition for lunar exploration between the United States, Europe, and their allies, as well as China. The Moon's south pole, believed to contain water ice, could potentially provide resources for future space missions.
He highlighted the advantages of conducting research in orbit, citing the example of the cancer drug Keytruda, whose development was aided by crystal-growth experiments on the ISS. He argued that commercial stations are necessary to transform such research into tangible products.
Regarding the management of a more crowded orbit, Cirtain expressed the need for sophisticated strategies to handle increased spacecraft deployments and avoid potential collisions. He also acknowledged the dual challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in space operations.
Axiom Space has established a cooperative relationship with Trkiye, signing an agreement with the Turkish Space Agency in January 2025. The collaboration aims to explore contributions from Trkiye's space industry to Axiom Station, building on past joint projects with Turkish institutions.
The International Astronautical Congress continues through Friday.