Transform the above information into a thrilling narrative centered around the ambitious plans of Axiom Space.

Axiom Space wants to take the off-Earth economy to new heights.

The Houston-based company, which was founded in 2016, aims to build and operate its own space station in low Earth orbit (LEO) in the coming years. And Axiom has inked deals with SpaceX to fly multiple tourist missions to the International Space Station (ISS), the first of which is set to launch in late February 2022.

Such projects are part of a grander plan to help humanity extend its footprint beyond its home planet.

"Axiom's vision of a thriving home in space is about facilitating breakthroughs and perspectives that benefit every human, everywhere — and we provide universal access to low Earth orbit so that innovators, governments and individuals can do the same," the company's website reads.

A bevy of high-profile aerospace pros are crafting that vision and working to make it a reality. For example, Axiom's co-founder, president and CEO is Mike Suffredini, who served as NASA’s ISS program manager from 2005 to 2015. 

Axiom co-founder and executive chairman Kam Ghaffarian also co-founded Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, a contractor that trains NASA astronauts and other agency personnel who work in the ISS program.

Additionally, former space shuttle commander Charlie Bolden, who led NASA from 2009 to 2017, is a business development consultant for Axiom. And former NASA astronauts Michael López-Alegría and Peggy Whitson serve as the company's vice president of business development and astronaut consultant, respectively.

López-Alegría and Whitson may have retired from NASA, but they aren't done flying, as you'll see below.

Axiom is taking a stepwise approach to the operation of its commercial space station. The company will launch multiple modules to the ISS; this private hardware will eventually detach and become a free-flying outpost.

The first of these Axiom pieces is scheduled to go up in September 2024. Three additional modules will follow by the end of 2027, if all goes according to plan.

"With the delivery of the fourth module, Axiom Station will have the capability to be independent of the ISS and can then separate to become an independent, next-generation space station with upgraded crew quarters, increased payload capacity and a dedicated manufacturing and research lab module," Axiom chief technology officer Matt Ondler told Space.com recently.

"This timeline supports the current planned end of ISS life, so there should be a seamless transition with no gaps in human continuous presence in LEO," he said.

Though the ISS is officially approved to operate only through the end of 2024, an extension to 2030 is widely expected. President Joe Biden recently committed to this new timeline, but the other ISS partners — for example, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Russia's federal space corporation, Roscosmos — need to sign on as well.

Axiom Station and other commercial outposts in LEO — and there are others in the works — should create new opportunities for microgravity research, product development, tourism and manufacturing, among other activities, Ondler said.

"A commercial space station also offers cost-saving opportunities for agencies like NASA to conduct fundamental space science research and prepare astronauts for longer missions to the moon, and on to Mars, without the financial burden of maintaining a LEO station," he said.
system
Transform the above information into a thrilling narrative centered around the ambitious plans of Axiom Space.

Axiom Space wants to take the off-Earth economy to new heights.

The Houston-based company, which was founded in 2016, aims to build and operate its own space station in low Earth orbit (LEO) in the coming years. And Axiom has inked deals with SpaceX to fly multiple tourist missions to the International Space Station (ISS), the first of which is set to launch in late February 2022.

Such projects are part of a grander plan to help humanity extend its footprint beyond its home planet.

"Axiom's vision of a thriving home in space is about facilitating breakthroughs and perspectives that benefit every human, everywhere — and we provide universal access to low Earth orbit so that innovators, governments and individuals can do the same," the company's website reads.

A bevy of high-profile aerospace pros are crafting that vision and working to make it a reality. For example, Axiom's co-founder, president and CEO is Mike Suffredini, who served as NASA’s ISS program manager from 2005 to 2015. 

Axiom co-founder and executive chairman Kam Ghaffarian also co-founded Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, a contractor that trains NASA astronauts and other agency personnel who work in the ISS program.

Additionally, former space shuttle commander Charlie Bolden, who led NASA from 2009 to 2017, is a business development consultant for Axiom. And former NASA astronauts Michael López-Alegría and Peggy Whitson serve as the company's vice president of business development and astronaut consultant, respectively.

López-Alegría and Whitson may have retired from NASA, but they aren't done flying, as you'll see below.

Axiom is taking a stepwise approach to the operation of its commercial space station. The company will launch multiple modules to the ISS; this private hardware will eventually detach and become a free-flying outpost.

The first of these Axiom pieces is scheduled to go up in September 2024. Three additional modules will follow by the end of 2027, if all goes according to plan.

"With the delivery of the fourth module, Axiom Station will have the capability to be independent of the ISS and can then separate to become an independent, next-generation space station with upgraded crew quarters, increased payload capacity and a dedicated manufacturing and research lab module," Axiom chief technology officer Matt Ondler told Space.com recently.

"This timeline supports the current planned end of ISS life, so there should be a seamless transition with no gaps in human continuous presence in LEO," he said.

Though the ISS is officially approved to operate only through the end of 2024, an extension to 2030 is widely expected. President Joe Biden recently committed to this new timeline, but the other ISS partners — for example, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Russia's federal space corporation, Roscosmos — need to sign on as well.

Axiom Station and other commercial outposts in LEO — and there are others in the works — should create new opportunities for microgravity research, product development, tourism and manufacturing, among other activities, Ondler said.

"A commercial space station also offers cost-saving opportunities for agencies like NASA to conduct fundamental space science research and prepare astronauts for longer missions to the moon, and on to Mars, without the financial burden of maintaining a LEO station," he said.
user
Axiom Space, a Houston-based powerhouse, is on a formidable quest: to revolutionize the off-Earth economy and take it soaring to unprecedented levels.

Established in 2016, the company harbors an audacious dream, to erect its private abode in low Earth orbit (LEO). With the first foundational stone expected to be laid in the forthcoming years, Axiom's blueprint of the future features an intriguing alliance with SpaceX. Multiple tourist missions to the International Space Station (ISS) have been agreed upon, with the inaugural journey planned for launch in the closing days of February 2022.

But these individual projects, impressive as they are, merely form pieces of a grander tapestry. Axiom envisions an expanded human influence beyond the confines of our home planet, in the vast expanse of space.

"Axiom sees the future as a bustling habitat in the cosmos, fostering breakthroughs and perspectives that advance every person on every corner of the Earth. We're the gatekeepers to low Earth orbit, offering its keys to pioneers, governments, and individuals alike," claims the company on their website.

A plethora of esteemed aerospace experts are the architects behind this vision. Among them is Axiom's co-founder, president, and CEO, Mike Suffredini, a seasoned veteran who directed NASA’s ISS program from 2005 to 2015. Another visionary at the helm is co-founder and executive chairman Kam Ghaffarian, who is also known for co-establishing Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies. This contractor is renowned for training NASA astronauts and other personnel involved in the ISS program.

Adding to the stellar lineup are names such as Charlie Bolden, Michael López-Alegría, and Peggy Whitson. Bolden, a former space shuttle commander who spearheaded NASA from 2009 to 2017, serves as a business development consultant. López-Alegría and Whitson, both ex-NASA astronauts, contribute to the venture as the vice president of business development and astronaut consultant, respectively.

Their blueprint for establishing the commercial space station is methodical. Axiom plans to launch numerous modules to the ISS, eventually having this private infrastructure break free and establish an independent outpost.

The maiden module is penciled in for a September 2024 lift-off. Three more modules are projected to follow by the close of 2027, conditional on everything going according to the master plan.

"With the fourth module joining its siblings, Axiom Station will gain the autonomy to part ways from the ISS, metamorphosing into an upgraded, next-gen space station with enhanced crew accommodations, augmented payload capacity, and a devoted manufacturing and research lab module," Axiom's chief technology officer Matt Ondler explained to Space.com.

He anticipates a smooth transition as the timeline coincides with the current planned termination of ISS operations. The goal is to ensure an uninterrupted human presence in LEO.

While the ISS is currently green-lit to function until 2024, many anticipate its lifespan to be extended to 2030. President Joe Biden has pledged his support for this extension, though it requires the agreement of other ISS partners such as the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Russia's Roscosmos.

Axiom Station and other commercial stations in LEO could unlock fresh prospects for microgravity research, product development, tourism, and manufacturing, among other activities, according to Ondler.

"A commercial space station could be a boon for organizations like NASA, allowing them to pursue fundamental space science research and train astronauts for extended lunar missions and Martian journeys without the financial onus of maintaining a LEO station," he remarked.
assistant
<|system|>
</s>
<|user|>
Transform the above information into a thrilling narrative centered around the ambitious plans of Axiom Space.

Axiom Space wants to take the off-Earth economy to new heights.

The Houston-based company, which was founded in 2016, aims to build and operate its own space station in low Earth orbit (LEO) in the coming years. And Axiom has inked deals with SpaceX to fly multiple tourist missions to the International Space Station (ISS), the first of which is set to launch in late February 2022.

Such projects are part of a grander plan to help humanity extend its footprint beyond its home planet.

"Axiom's vision of a thriving home in space is about facilitating breakthroughs and perspectives that benefit every human, everywhere — and we provide universal access to low Earth orbit so that innovators, governments and individuals can do the same," the company's website reads.

A bevy of high-profile aerospace pros are crafting that vision and working to make it a reality. For example, Axiom's co-founder, president and CEO is Mike Suffredini, who served as NASA’s ISS program manager from 2005 to 2015. 

Axiom co-founder and executive chairman Kam Ghaffarian also co-founded Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, a contractor that trains NASA astronauts and other agency personnel who work in the ISS program.

Additionally, former space shuttle commander Charlie Bolden, who led NASA from 2009 to 2017, is a business development consultant for Axiom. And former NASA astronauts Michael López-Alegría and Peggy Whitson serve as the company's vice president of business development and astronaut consultant, respectively.

López-Alegría and Whitson may have retired from NASA, but they aren't done flying, as you'll see below.

Axiom is taking a stepwise approach to the operation of its commercial space station. The company will launch multiple modules to the ISS; this private hardware will eventually detach and become a free-flying outpost.

The first of these Axiom pieces is scheduled to go up in September 2024. Three additional modules will follow by the end of 2027, if all goes according to plan.

"With the delivery of the fourth module, Axiom Station will have the capability to be independent of the ISS and can then separate to become an independent, next-generation space station with upgraded crew quarters, increased payload capacity and a dedicated manufacturing and research lab module," Axiom chief technology officer Matt Ondler told Space.com recently.

"This timeline supports the current planned end of ISS life, so there should be a seamless transition with no gaps in human continuous presence in LEO," he said.

Though the ISS is officially approved to operate only through the end of 2024, an extension to 2030 is widely expected. President Joe Biden recently committed to this new timeline, but the other ISS partners — for example, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Russia's federal space corporation, Roscosmos — need to sign on as well.

Axiom Station and other commercial outposts in LEO — and there are others in the works — should create new opportunities for microgravity research, product development, tourism and manufacturing, among other activities, Ondler said.

"A commercial space station also offers cost-saving opportunities for agencies like NASA to conduct fundamental space science research and prepare astronauts for longer missions to the moon, and on to Mars, without the financial burden of maintaining a LEO station," he said.</s>
<|assistant|>
Axiom Space, a Houston-based powerhouse, is on a formidable quest: to revolutionize the off-Earth economy and take it soaring to unprecedented levels.

Established in 2016, the company harbors an audacious dream, to erect its private abode in low Earth orbit (LEO). With the first foundational stone expected to be laid in the forthcoming years, Axiom's blueprint of the future features an intriguing alliance with SpaceX. Multiple tourist missions to the International Space Station (ISS) have been agreed upon, with the inaugural journey planned for launch in the closing days of February 2022.

But these individual projects, impressive as they are, merely form pieces of a grander tapestry. Axiom envisions an expanded human influence beyond the confines of our home planet, in the vast expanse of space.

"Axiom sees the future as a bustling habitat in the cosmos, fostering breakthroughs and perspectives that advance every person on every corner of the Earth. We're the gatekeepers to low Earth orbit, offering its keys to pioneers, governments, and individuals alike," claims the company on their website.

A plethora of esteemed aerospace experts are the architects behind this vision. Among them is Axiom's co-founder, president, and CEO, Mike Suffredini, a seasoned veteran who directed NASA’s ISS program from 2005 to 2015. Another visionary at the helm is co-founder and executive chairman Kam Ghaffarian, who is also known for co-establishing Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies. This contractor is renowned for training NASA astronauts and other personnel involved in the ISS program.

Adding to the stellar lineup are names such as Charlie Bolden, Michael López-Alegría, and Peggy Whitson. Bolden, a former space shuttle commander who spearheaded NASA from 2009 to 2017, serves as a business development consultant. López-Alegría and Whitson, both ex-NASA astronauts, contribute to the venture as the vice president of business development and astronaut consultant, respectively.

Their blueprint for establishing the commercial space station is methodical. Axiom plans to launch numerous modules to the ISS, eventually having this private infrastructure break free and establish an independent outpost.

The maiden module is penciled in for a September 2024 lift-off. Three more modules are projected to follow by the close of 2027, conditional on everything going according to the master plan.

"With the fourth module joining its siblings, Axiom Station will gain the autonomy to part ways from the ISS, metamorphosing into an upgraded, next-gen space station with enhanced crew accommodations, augmented payload capacity, and a devoted manufacturing and research lab module," Axiom's chief technology officer Matt Ondler explained to Space.com.

He anticipates a smooth transition as the timeline coincides with the current planned termination of ISS operations. The goal is to ensure an uninterrupted human presence in LEO.

While the ISS is currently green-lit to function until 2024, many anticipate its lifespan to be extended to 2030. President Joe Biden has pledged his support for this extension, though it requires the agreement of other ISS partners such as the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Russia's Roscosmos.

Axiom Station and other commercial stations in LEO could unlock fresh prospects for microgravity research, product development, tourism, and manufacturing, among other activities, according to Ondler.

"A commercial space station could be a boon for organizations like NASA, allowing them to pursue fundamental space science research and train astronauts for extended lunar missions and Martian journeys without the financial onus of maintaining a LEO station," he remarked.</s>
