Axiom and NASA have signed an agreement: a new crew of space tourists will fly to the ISS in January 2027.

NASA + Axiom Space: New Contract for a Tourist Flight in 2027

*When the new agreement was signed*
As of (date of publication), NASA and Axiom Space have entered into an agreement to transport tourists to the International Space Station (ISS). The Ax‑5 mission is scheduled no earlier than January 2027; the exact date will depend on the flight schedule at that time. This marks the fifth commercial launch under the Axiom–NASA partnership.

Key Details

- Crew – Four private astronauts who will spend 14 days aboard the station.
- Planned Activities – Micro‑gravity experiments, testing of new technologies, and participation in educational programs.
- Financial Aspect – The ticket price for an ISS tourist was about $70 million during the previous mission (Ax‑4) in July 2025.

Roles of Participants

Strategic Context

- This is part of NASA’s program to involve commercial operators in low Earth orbit flights and to develop the private space industry.
- Axiom missions illustrate the shift from state monopoly toward a mixed, business‑oriented model for space exploration.

Next Steps

1. Late 2026 – Axiom will submit candidate private astronauts to NASA for the 2027 flight.
2. After crew approval, training will commence at NASA’s preparation centers.

Future Plans

- Permanent Private Station – Axiom intends to build its own orbital module, which would reduce costs and increase flight frequency.