NASA Picks Axiom Space for Fifth Private ISS Trip

NASA has selected Axiom Space for the fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The deal, signed on January 30, 2026, sets up Axiom Mission 5 to launch no earlier than January 2027 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will spend up to 14 days on the station. This choice beats out other companies like Vast and marks Axiom's fifth straight win from NASA for these trips.

Background

The International Space Station has been a hub for space work since 1998. NASA now wants private companies to take over low-Earth orbit operations as the station retires in 2030. Axiom Space leads this change. The company has sent four private missions to the ISS in the past four years. These flights carried 14 astronauts from private groups and governments. They ran over 160 science projects and more than 100 public talks from space.

Past missions broke ground. The first Axiom trip in 2022 had a retired NASA astronaut as commander. Later ones included the first female astronaut from Saudi Arabia and the first from Turkey. Astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary also visited for the first time. One mission tested diabetes tools that monitor blood sugar and deliver insulin in space. Another checked a cancer drug now in human trials.

These trips help build skills for commercial space. Axiom uses what it learns for its own station, Axiom Station. This will attach to the ISS at first, then break off to fly alone after 2030. NASA buys services from Axiom, like bringing back cold science samples. In return, Axiom pays for crew supplies, cargo space, and station resources.

The push for private missions started with NASA's call for ideas in March 2025. Axiom keeps winning because it has real flight experience. No other firm has flown this many private crews to the ISS.

Key Details

Axiom Mission 5 will use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Launch depends on station traffic and other plans. The crew has four spots: one trained commander and three private astronauts. Names wait for final deals and approvals from NASA and partner nations. Training will happen with NASA, partners, and SpaceX.

Partners and Science

Axiom teamed up with Voyager Technologies for payload work. Voyager handles science gear integration. They have years of experience with station cargo.

“We are honored NASA awarded Axiom Space its fifth human spaceflight mission,” said Jonathan Cirtain, president and CEO of Axiom Space. “All four previous missions have expanded the global community of space explorers, diversifying scientific investigations in microgravity, and providing significant insight that is benefitting the development of our next-generation space station, Axiom Station.”

Voyager's leader also spoke out.

“Voyager’s role on Ax-5 reflects a proven mission-management heritage built through years of supporting commercial payloads on the space station,” said Dylan Taylor, chairman and CEO of Voyager Technologies.

Science will focus on microgravity effects. Past work led to the Axiom Space University Alliance. This group sets research goals with schools worldwide. Missions test new markets and tech for the space economy.

NASA leaders see big value.

“The award of our fifth private astronaut mission shows that commercial space is not a distant promise, but a present reality,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

What This Means

This pick shows NASA's trust in Axiom to grow private spaceflight. It helps fill the gap as the ISS ends. Private trips keep the station busy with research and tests. They train crews for Moon and Mars trips under the Artemis program.

More missions mean more nations in space. Talks point to possible Czech, Portuguese, or UK astronauts. The UK wants all four seats for its own crew, including a para-astronaut. No final word yet.

Axiom's wins push others like Vast to catch up. NASA plans a sixth mission soon. Commercial stations from Axiom, Blue Origin, and others will take over. This builds a space economy with jobs, research, and tech for Earth.

Private flights cut costs and open space to more people. They run experiments that help medicine, materials, and tech. Diabetes and cancer work from past trips show real gains. Future ones will do the same.

The shift frees NASA for deep space. Commercial firms handle orbit work. Axiom's track record—four missions, many firsts—proves it can lead. Ax-5 will add to that story. Crew news and exact dates will come later. For now, it locks in another step toward private space stations.