Together, Nokia and Axiom Space will incorporate high-speed cellular-network capabilities in the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), supporting HD video, telemetry data and voice transmission over multiple kilometers on the Moon. This advancement will enable Artemis III crewmembers to capture real-time video and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while they explore the lunar surface.

“Axiom Space is excited to work with Nokia to build on the advanced capabilities of our next-generation spacesuit,” said Russell Ralston, Axiom Space executive vice president of extravehicular activity. “Adding high-speed 4G/LTE network capability on the Moon will serve as a vital bridge linking astronauts to Earth, facilitating crucial data exchange, and enabling high-definition video communication over long distances.”

Nokia plans to deploy the first cellular network on the Moon as part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, which is scheduled to be delivered to the launch site in 2024. During that mission, Nokia aims to demonstrate that cellular connectivity can facilitate crucial communications during future lunar or Mars missions. Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), pioneered by Nokia Bell Labs’ research and innovation, will be deployed during IM-2 and will be further adapted for use in the AxEMU spacesuit.

“Just as astronauts will need life support, shelter and food, they will need advanced networks to communicate with each other and go about their crucial work,” said Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia. “Bell Labs has a long history of working on space projects, and Nokia is a leader in designing and building networks that connect the world. We are taking advantage of the same standards-based technologies that connect billions of devices on Earth every day, while bringing new innovation and technologies to bear on the specific challenges encountered in space."

The fully autonomous LSCS has two components: a network- in- a- box combines the radio, base station and core network elements of a terrestrial cellular network into a single unit, and device modules that will be integrated into the AxEMU spacesuits. Both the network and device modules have been carefully engineered to withstand the extreme environmental conditions on the lunar surface and the dynamic stress of spaceflight, and have been optimized for size, weight and power consumption.

Axiom Space was recently awarded $57.5 million from NASA to make this 4G/LTE network modification to the lunar spacesuit for the Artemis III mission, building upon its first Artemis task order in 2022, valued at $228 million. Axiom Space’s spacesuits will provide astronauts with advanced capabilities for space exploration while providing NASA with commercially developed human systems needed to access, live, and work on and around the Moon.

Axiom Space’s development of these next-generation spacesuits and Nokia’s lunar surface communications innovations are significant advancements toward furthering American leadership in space exploration, enabling a deeper understanding of the Moon, the solar system, and beyond.

Source: Axiom Space

Axiom Space officially announced today that it is partnering with India, through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Poland, with European Space Agency (ESA) support, and Hungary to send three national astronauts to the space station on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), the company’s next commercial human spaceflight mission to the orbiting laboratory. The Ax-4 crewmembers arrived in Houston today to begin training with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX.

The crew assigned to Ax-4 includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański of ESA/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The assigned crewmembers are pending approval to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). MCOP decisions are made in consensus by representatives from all five-space station international partners: NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.

“Ax-4 represents Axiom Space’s continued efforts to build opportunity for countries to research, innovate, test, and engage with people around the world while in low-Earth orbit,” said Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space. “This mission broadens horizons for nations with ambitious goals of advancing scientific, technological, and economic pursuits. Our collaboration with ESA for a second time and the inclusion of Hungary and India underscores Axiom Space’s ability to cultivate global partners, expand the scope of exploration, and open up new avenues to grow a global space economy.”

The mission will place significant emphasis on scientific research, technology demonstrations, and the commercialization of space. Additionally, the mission aims to foster cooperation by sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities with our partners, solidifying these nations as leaders within the growing space community.

“I look forward to commanding my second commercial human spaceflight mission with Axiom Space,” said Peggy Whitson, Ax-4 commander. “With a culturally diverse crew, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering international collaboration. Our previous missions set the stage. Axiom Mission 1 was the first all-private mission to the space station, Axiom Mission 2 launched the first Saudi female to space, and Axiom Mission 3 included both the first Turkish astronaut and first ESA astronaut to fly on a commercial space mission. Now, with Ax-4, we ascend even higher, bringing even more nations to low-Earth orbit and expanding humanity’s reach among the stars.”

Ax-4 will launch to the orbiting laboratory aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from Florida, and the crew is expected to spend up to 14 days on the space station. Of note, Ax-4 will be the second Axiom Space mission to include an ESA astronaut. Marcus Wandt became ESA’s first-ever project astronaut on Ax-3 and the second ESA astronaut of Swedish nationality to travel to the space station. During Ax-4, Axiom Space will continue to build on its partnership with ESA by sending a Polish astronaut to space for the first time in more than 40 years.

Additionally, in July 2022, Axiom Space and the Hungarian government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) program, Hungary’s astronaut program, and advance opportunities in space research and technology development. Building on that MOU, in Sept. 2023, Axiom Space signed a spaceflight framework agreement (SFA) with the Ministry to facilitate the launch of a Hungarian astronaut.

Most recently, in July, Axiom Space signed an SFA with ISRO. This is a significant milestone toward India’s goal of mounting a joint ISRO-NASA effort on board the International Space Station.

Source: Axiom Space

Renowned British astronaut Tim Peake joins Axiom Space’s astronaut team as a strategic advisor, with the specific task of supporting the development of and strategy behind a potential all-UK human spaceflight mission with the Houston-based company.

Peake, a celebrated figure in the space community, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new advisory role. He will support the team’s strategy to confirm and secure funding for this one-nation space exploration effort. The proposed mission aims to be a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind venture, showcasing the viability of a commercially sponsored pathway to space for the UK.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tim Peake to Axiom Space,” said Michael Lopéz-Alegría, Axiom Space Chief Astronaut. “His vision and guidance will be invaluable as we work to make this all-UK mission a reality. Partnering with the UK Space Agency on this historic endeavor underscores our collective commitment to redefining access to space, unlocking low-Earth orbit’s true potential for nations and industries around the world."

In October 2023, Axiom Space and the UK Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the feasibility of a UK-crewed commercial mission. This collaborative effort is designed to be funded through private sponsorships from UK-based companies. And in February, the UK Space Agency announced up to £15 million could be made available for British science and technology to fly to space, should the proposed UK mission progress as planned.

"I am excited to join Axiom Space and contribute to this pioneering effort,” said Peake. “An all-UK mission represents a significant opportunity for our country to establish a strong presence as well as a leadership role in the commercial space sector. I look forward to working with Axiom Space and the UK Space Agency to advance this exciting possibility."

About Tim Peake

Tim Peake is a former European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). With a distinguished career in space exploration, Peake is a prominent figure in the global space community and an advocate for STEM education and international collaboration in space.

Source: Axiom Space

Axiom Space astronaut and director of human spaceflight Peggy Whitson and NASA astronaut Douglas Wheelock recently stepped inside Axiom Space’s next-generation spacesuit to conduct integrated testing in support of NASA’s Artemis campaign, which is set to return astronauts to the Moon by September 2026. It was the first integrated test bringing Artemis III partners – NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space – together to conduct a pressurized simulation, and the first test of its kind since the Apollo era.

NASA and its partners Axiom Space, designer of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) and SpaceX, developer of Starship, the Human Landing System (HLS) for Artemis III, completed a successful, coordinated test using development hardware for SpaceX’s Starship in Hawthorne, California. This was a significant milestone to collect information on how the spacesuit, the lander, and the human element will work together during the Artemis III mission.

“Astronaut feedback is crucially important, helping to inform the engineering teams on any iterative changes needed,” said Russell Ralston, Vice President of Extravehicular Activity (EVA), Axiom Space. “After this test, we’re able to further refine and develop innovative solutions to inform our single architecture design.”

In less than two years, Axiom Space has made substantial progress in suit design and testing. The suit design is beyond the preliminary design review point with NASA and will enter the critical design review phase later this year.

“We’ve conducted many tests with different people, including engineers and astronauts to ensure the suit’s advanced capabilities will enable a wide range of crewmembers to conduct extensive science research during the Artemis III mission to the lunar south pole,” said Ralston.

Active progress and testing of the spacesuit continue. Just a few weeks before this integrated test, Axiom Space completed a successful trial at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) with an unoccupied, weighted spacesuit to accurately simulate the lunar environment, where gravitational forces are 1/6th of Earth's.

Source: Axiom Space