NASA and Axiom Space Alter Commercial Space Station Assembly Order

NASA and Axiom Space have revised the assembly sequence for Axiom Space's commercial space station. The new plan prioritizes launching the Payload, Power, and Thermal Module first, enabling Axiom Station to become a free-flying destination as early as 2028, independent of the International Space Station (ISS). This accelerates Axiom Station's operational capabilities, reduces reliance on the ISS, and prepares for the ISS's decommissioning no earlier than 2030. NASA continues to support the R&D of multiple commercial space stations to maintain US leadership in microgravity research and to serve future space exploration goals.