NASA Confirms Axiom Mission 5 Private Astronaut Launch to ISS in Early 2027

NASA has selected Axiom Space to conduct Axiom Mission 5, a private astronaut flight to the ISS launching no earlier than January 2027. The two-week mission supports NASA’s strategy to expand commercial activity and research in low Earth orbit.

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 2 February 2026 19:46 IST

Highlights

Axiom Mission 5 will launch to the ISS no earlier than January 2027
Mission supports NASA’s plan to commercialise low Earth orbit
Private astronauts will train with NASA and international partners

Launching in early 2027, Axiom Mission 5 will carry up to four private astronauts for a two-week stay.

Photo Credit: NASA

NASA selected Axiom Space to conduct its fifth private astronaut mission, which will send astronauts to the International Space Station. The mission, which NASA named Axiom Mission 5, will launch from Kennedy Space Center no earlier than January 2027 and will operate on the space station for two weeks. The initiative supports NASA's goal to increase commercial operations in low Earth orbit.

Mission Details and Crew

According to NASA, Axiom Mission 5 is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center in early 2027 and will be berthed at the ISS for up to two weeks. The mission will carry a maximum of four private astronauts, subject to NASA and international partners' approval. The astronauts will undergo training with NASA, international partners, and the launch contractor prior to the mission. The contract for the mission requires Axiom to purchase station support services (such as food, cargo, and life support) from NASA, while NASA will purchase from Axiom the ability to return scientific experiments and samples that require cold storage to Earth.

Building a Commercial Space Economy

According to NASA officials, these private missions make the ISS a proving ground for new markets, technologies, and science. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the fifth mission “demonstrates that commercial spaceflight is a present reality and is helping to build the capabilities necessary for lunar and Mars missions.” Axiom Space President Jonathan Cirtain said that the first four missions have expanded the global community of astronauts and the body of research in orbit, and that these insights are informing the development of Axiom Station, the company's planned commercial successor to the ISS.