NASA announced last week that it is moving forward with the commercialization of the International Space Station (ISS) – and that private company Axiom Space will create a 'space hotel' that will anchor to the orbiting space station.
Axiom has now received more details on the plan, which will see a shift from NASA providing orbital services to more reliance on private companies.
This is a marked change in priorities for the space agency, which has helped navigate the ISS for over 20 years.
According to Axios, the privately-run space hotel is still several years away. The company's plan is to launch its first module by the end of 2024, with two more modules over the next year – one for housing and one for manufacturing.
But even before that, Axiom crews will become regular on the ISS. Company co-founder Michael Suffredini said he has already booked tickets to the ISS for rockets that will begin launching next year.
“We start our flights early to establish a rhythm,” Suffredini said.
Sources: Photo: Axiom Space
