Axiom Station
A commercial space station built module by module. The first module berths to the ISS, then the station is meant to separate and fly on its own before the ISS retires.
Why it matters
It is one of the companies competing to keep U.S. astronauts, researchers and paying visitors in orbit after the ISS is retired, and it has raised over $500 million in 2026 alone to build it.
How the technology works
The first piece, the Payload Power Thermal Module, attaches to the ISS. After it departs the ISS, habitat modules with crew quarters, an airlock for spacewalks and a research and manufacturing module with an Earth-viewing window are added.
Thales Alenia Space builds the primary structures, with final assembly in Houston.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction