The cutting-edge aerospace facility will support astronauts as construction of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station, moves forward.
HOUSTON – Axiom Space, the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, has opened its new Assembly Integration and Test Building, which will serve as the new headquarters for the Houston-based aerospace company.
Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station (ISS) while developing its successor, Axiom Station, and building next-generation spacesuits for low-Earth orbit, the Moon and beyond.
The new 22-acre campus at the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport includes employee offices, facilities for astronaut training and mission control, testing labs and a high bay production facility to house Axiom Space Station modules currently under construction. Construction of the state-of-the-art campus began in May 2022 and was completed in two phases. Phase 1 included 106,000 square feet of assembly integration and test facilities; and Phase 2 included the construction of labs, mission operations and training, aircraft operations and office space. Axiom Space partnered with Jacobs, Turner Construction Company, Savills, and Griffin Partners to expand the company’s headquarters at Houston Spaceport.
“From this Axiom Space headquarters campus, we will continue the progress in space that will revolutionize life back home,” said Axiom Space President & CEO Michael Suffredini. “We are proud to be an anchor tenant of the Houston Spaceport and ensure the future of human spaceflight and the space economy is centered in the city where it all began.”
Houston’s leadership in the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and ISS programs earned its title as Space City, the home of human spaceflight. Now Axiom Space is adding a new accolade to Space City. For the first time in the city’s history, Houston is home to the development and construction of human-rated spacecraft thanks to Axiom Stations modules.
“These are historically exciting times for us all. As the city that helped put men on the Moon, Houston continues to lead the way in technology and innovation,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Axiom Space has set itself apart from others in the private space industry. Our city – Space City - is leading this second space race. And the work being done in our city will return humanity to the Moon in a sustainable way.”
During a ribbon-cutting celebration Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for the City of Houston, reaffirmed the vision of the Houston Spaceport, which is to bring together a cluster of aviation and aerospace enterprises that will support the future of commercial spaceflight.
“Today’s celebration is the culmination of teamwork and tenacity, and it underscores a year of historic milestones for Houston Airports,” said Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. “It’s not enough that we operate world-class airports, Houston Airports must also endeavor to progress humanity’s reach out into space. Axiom space solidifies this unique urban center for collaboration and ideation. A place where the brightest minds in the world work closely together to lead us beyond the next frontier of space exploration.”
Earlier this year, Axiom Space announced details on the groundbreaking science research and technology demonstrations planned for the upcoming Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) to the ISS. The Ax-3 crewmembers are Commander Michael López-Alegría of the US/Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden/ESA. The Ax-3 crewmembers will represent their nations and perform scientific experiments and demonstrations in low-Earth orbit (LEO) that are of high national importance.
Axiom Space is also partnering with many scientific organizations to continue understanding the effects of spaceflight on the human body as well as explore opportunities of applied research in space to benefit health and medical treatments on Earth.
The Ax-3 astronauts will conduct more than 30 different experiments during their mission. Human research data collected on the ground before and after the mission as well as in flight will improve understanding of human physiology on Earth and in microgravity.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Ax-3 crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft to the ISS no earlier than January 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Axiom Space joins Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines as serving as the three anchor tenants of the Houston Spaceport, an FAA-licensed, urban commercial spaceport offering unprecedented access to a thriving aerospace community. In addition to serving as a launch and landing site for suborbital, reusable launch vehicles, Houston Spaceport offers laboratory office space including technology incubator space and large-scale hardware production facilities.
The Houston Spaceport is the world’s first truly urban commercial spaceport and continues Houston’s legacy as Space City.
About Axiom Space | Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off of the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.
About the Houston Spaceport | Owned and managed by the Houston Airport System, the Houston Spaceport has a clear goal to create a focal point for aerospace innovation with a cluster of aerospace companies that will lead the nation in the transition from a government-driven to a commercially driven space program. Licensed for horizontal launch by the FAA in 2015, the Houston Spaceport is the nation's 10th commercial spaceport. It is working to create meaningful, tangible value for tenants and partners by ensuring our aerospace cluster offers the crucial tools and facilities to support aviation and space businesses. The Houston Spaceport is located at Ellington Airport.