The partnership between India’s space agency, ISRO and Axiom Space for the Axiom-4 mission is a major achievement in India’s space exploration efforts. Set to launch in October 2024 for the International Space Station (ISS), this mission highlights the importance of working together globally, advancing technology and the increasing involvement of private companies in space activities. Interestingly, this mission will include a crew of four astronauts, Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space), Shubhanshu Shukla (ISRO), Sławosz Uznański (POLSA/ESA) and Tibor Kapu (HUNOR) from Hungary. It also has a backup crew which includes Michael López-Alegría (Axiom Space), Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (ISRO) and Gyula Cserényi (HUNOR) from Hungary.
Axiom Space, established in 2016 by Michael T. Suffredini and Kam Ghaffarian, is a major provider of human spaceflight services and builder of human-rated space infrastructure. Located in Houston, Texas, the company plans to create the first-ever commercial space station, known as Axiom Station. Axiom Space conducts complete missions to the ISS while working on developing its replacement, the Axiom Station. Additionally, the company is designing next-generation spacesuits for use in low-Earth orbit (LEO) on the Moon and beyond.
The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight heading to the ISS and is set to launch in October 2024. This mission will last around 14 days and will be managed by Axiom Space using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The mission will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket. The astronauts will go through extensive training that includes scientific research, technology demonstrations and space outreach activities.
“NASA will provide essential to the Axiom-4 mission, including key services, through a Special Order and a reimbursable Space Act Agreement. These services include supplying the crew, delivering cargo, offering storage and providing daily resources while in orbit. The astronauts, including those from India, will undergo training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This training is crucial to prepare them for the mission and ensure their safety and effectiveness in space. The agreement with NASA also includes up to seven extra days on the ISS in case of unexpected issues, allowing the mission to adapt as needed,” explained space expert Girish Linganna.
He explained that there is also a special order and space act agreement which includes a detailed plan that describes the services NASA will provide for the Axiom-4 mission. “Providing food, clothes and other necessary items for the astronauts. Transporting and storing the equipment and supplies needed for the mission and making sure that astronauts have access to such essentials as power, water and air while on the ISS. Allowing up to seven extra days on the ISS in case of delays or emergencies,” added Linganna.
Under the reimbursable Space Act Agreement is a financial deal where Axiom Space pays NASA for the services they provide including training using NASA’s facilities and knowledge to train the astronauts, access to NASA’s training centres and other buildings and help and support for the launch and return of the mission.
There would also be scientific experiments on Axiom-4. Under this, ISRO has planned five experiments for Axiom-4. These experiments, created in India, will explore different scientific and technological areas. Some experiments will be done with other space agencies, adding more scientific value to the mission. Besides this, NASA will help carry out these experiments by providing the necessary resources and expertise. This includes setting up and operating scientific equipment on the ISS. Broadly the experiments will focus on materials science, biology and Earth observation, using the unique microgravity environment of space to make new discoveries.
“One of the unique technical features of this mission is the integration of advanced life support systems and autonomous docking capabilities in the Crew Dragon spacecraft. These systems are designed to provide a safer and more efficient environment for the crew, reducing the need for manual intervention and allowing astronauts to focus on their scientific and operational tasks. Additionally, the spacecraft is equipped with state-of-the-art communication systems that enable real-time data transmission and high-definition video streaming back to Earth, enhancing mission control and public engagement,” said Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems.
She added that the mission will also involve the deployment of cutting-edge scientific instruments and experiments. For instance, the crew will conduct research on the effects of microgravity on human physiology, which is crucial for long-duration space missions. They will also test new materials and technologies that could be used in future space habitats and vehicles. These experiments are designed to push the boundaries of our current knowledge and pave the way for future innovations in space exploration.
“A particularly exciting aspect of this mission is the zero-gravity experience it offers. This environment allows for unique scientific experiments that cannot be conducted on Earth. For example, the behavior of fluids, combustion, and biological processes in microgravity can provide insights that are impossible to obtain under normal gravitational conditions. This experience is not only scientifically valuable but also crucial for preparing astronauts for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars,” remarked Kesan.
By partnering with Axiom Space, ISRO leverages private sector expertise and resources, significantly reducing costs compared to traditional government-led missions. This approach aligns with the global trend of commercial space ventures, making space exploration more economically sustainable. This partnership exemplifies the growing role of commercial entities in space exploration. Unlike traditional partnerships that are often government-to-government, this collaboration involves a private company, highlighting a shift towards more diverse and inclusive space missions.
The mission is a critical step in India's human spaceflight program, particularly in the context of the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. The experience and insights gained will be invaluable for ISRO as it prepares for its ambitious goal of sending Indian astronauts to space independently. The mission supports a variety of scientific experiments and technological tests in the unique microgravity environment of space. This focus on diverse scientific objectives underscores the mission's critical role in advancing our understanding of space and its applications.
ISRO's collaboration with Axiom Space is a landmark event that combines technical innovation, economic feasibility, and international cooperation. It sets a new standard for future space missions and highlights the evolving landscape of global space exploration
There have been previous Axiom Missions which include Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) that was launched on April 8, 2022. This mission was the first fully privately funded and managed mission to send a crew of four astronauts to the ISS. During their 17-day stay, they carried out various scientific experiments and technology demonstrations. Besides this, there was the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) which was a private space mission operated by Axiom Space. It launched on May 21, 2023, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission successfully docked with the ISS on May 22. After spending eight days on the ISS, the Dragon crew capsule, named Freedom, undocked and returned to Earth 12 hours later. This mission, which lasted 10 days, emphasised scientific research and educational outreach activities.
The Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) was also a privately funded space mission to the ISS, launched on January 18, 2024. The mission lasted 21 days and concluded with a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. The goal of this mission was further scientific research and promoting international collaboration in space.