HOUSTON, TX, Feb 3, 2026 – NASA and Axiom Space have signed a mission order for the fifth private astronaut mission (PAM) to the International Space Station (ISS). Axiom Mission 5 (Ax-5) is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2027 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission is expected to spend up to 14 days docked to the station, supporting private astronaut activities in low Earth orbit.
“We are honored NASA awarded Axiom Space its fifth human spaceflight mission,” said Dr. Jonathan Cirtain, Axiom Space president and CEO. “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 (LEO) for the benefit of all.”
As part of the NASA award, Axiom Space will include Voyager Technologies as a partner participating in payload integration.
“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 & CEO, Voyager Technologies. “We are proud to partner with Axiom Space in support of the Ax-5 mission. As commercial LEO destinations mature into sustained operational domains, missions like Ax-5 will further demonstrate the power of end-to-end execution across human spaceflight, research payloads, and the commercial infrastructure shaping the future space economy.”
Over the past four years, Axiom Space has completed four missions to the International Space Station. The missions flew 14 private and government astronauts, supporting more than 160 science and research activities and over 100 outreach and media engagements conducted on orbit.
The missions supported diabetes research using real-time glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in microgravity, along with cancer research testing a therapeutic drug that entered clinical trials last year. This work led to the creation of the Axiom Space University Alliance to support academic participation in space-based research. Axiom Space plans to continue working with research institutions on future private astronaut missions.
Source: Axiom Space
About Axiom Space
Axiom Space, established in 2016, is a Houston-based private aerospace company specializing in human spaceflight services and the development of commercial space infrastructure. The company offers end-to-end crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS) for private individuals, corporations, and governmental entities, facilitating in-space research, manufacturing, and exploration. Axiom is constructing the world’s first commercial space station, Axiom Station, designed to initially attach to the ISS and later operate independently, ensuring continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit. The company employs approximately 800 individuals. Axiom has secured significant contracts and investments, underscoring its prominent role in the burgeoning commercial space industry.