NASA Taps Axiom for 5th Private ISS Mission

The fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station is targeted to launch no earlier than January 2027.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:55am

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NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than January 2027 from the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Axiom Mission 5 is expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the space station.

Why it matters

Private astronaut missions allow the International Space Station to be used as a proving ground for new markets and technologies while enabling science, research, and outreach to contribute to a growing space economy. These missions are building the capabilities NASA will rely on as it moves outward to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The details

Axiom Space will submit four proposed crew members to NASA and its international partners for review. Once approved and confirmed, they will train with NASA, international partners, and the launch provider for their mission. Axiom Space will purchase mission services from NASA, including crew consumables, cargo delivery, storage, and other in-orbit resources for daily use. NASA will purchase from Axiom Space the capability to return scientific samples that must be kept cold during transit back to Earth.

  • The fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station is targeted to launch no earlier than January 2027.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Axiom Space

A private company that provides commercial access to the International Space Station and develops next-generation space stations.

Jared Isaacman

The NASA Administrator.

Dana Weigel

The manager of the International Space Station Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Jonathan Cirtain

The president and CEO of Axiom Space.

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What they’re saying

“The award of our fifth private astronaut mission shows that commercial space is not a distant promise, but a present reality. By expanding access and sharpening competition in low Earth orbit, these missions are building the capabilities NASA will rely on as we move outward to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We look forward to building upon those capabilities with many private astronaut missions to come.”

— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator (Mirage News)

“The International Space Station is a critical platform for enabling commercial industry in low Earth orbit. Private astronaut missions allow the station to be used as a proving ground for new markets and technologies while enabling science, research, and outreach to contribute to a growing space economy.”

— Dana Weigel, Manager, International Space Station Program, NASA's Johnson Space Center (Mirage News)

“We are honored NASA awarded Axiom Space its fifth human spaceflight mission. 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. The award underscores Axiom Space's commitment to redefining access to space, fostering international collaboration, and enabling research opportunities in low Earth orbit for the benefit of all.”

— Jonathan Cirtain, President and CEO, Axiom Space (Mirage News)

What’s next

A specific launch date for the Axiom Mission 5 will depend on overall spacecraft traffic at the International Space Station and other planning considerations.

The takeaway

Private astronaut missions to the International Space Station are expanding access to space, fostering international collaboration, and enabling research opportunities that contribute to a growing space economy and NASA's exploration efforts beyond low Earth orbit.