Who will replace ISS? Axiom is challenging Elon Musk's SpaceX with a 2028 timeline
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Timeline Shift
A surprising decision by Axiom Space has restructured its module launch order, accelerating the timeline to establish a free-flying commercial space station by 2028 instead of 2030.
Strategic Pivot
A revision in assembly plans now prioritizes launching the Payload, Power, and Thermal module first, allowing faster detachment from the ISS and enabling earlier independent operations.
Credit : AxiomSpace
ISS Coordination
NASA’s need to prepare for a SpaceX deorbit vehicle influenced Axiom’s updated sequence, ensuring compatibility while advancing commercial space goals, according to Angela Hart from NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Credit : NASA
Early Detachment
The Payload module could detach as early as 2028, transforming into Axiom Station, a free-flying commercial platform, and marking a pivotal step in privatized low Earth orbit operations.
Credit : AxiomSpace
Smooth Transition
The revised sequence ensures a seamless shift from the ISS to Axiom Station, maintaining continuous human presence in orbit and securing NASA’s transition to commercial platforms.
Innovative Hub
Following detachment, Habitat 1 will join the Payload module, evolving the Axiom Station with capabilities for research, manufacturing, and long-term habitation in low Earth orbit.
Modular Expansion
The subsequent launches of Habitat 2 and the airlock module will bolster Axiom Station’s infrastructure, catering to a growing clientele of international partners and private ventures.
Credit : AxiomSpace
Pioneering Role
Axiom’s Ax-1 mission in 2021 showcased its innovative vision, becoming the first to send an all-private crew to the ISS—a precursor to its ambitious Axiom Station plans.
Private Frontier
As the ISS approaches retirement, Axiom, along with competitors like SpaceX and Blue Origin, races to define the next era of space habitation and commerce.