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Private Astronaut Missions

Crewmembers pose for a group photo inside the space station

In 2019, NASA kicked off a strategy to enable a vibrant low Earth orbit economy which included offering flight opportunities for commercial providers to utilize the International Space Station (ISS) as a destination for private astronaut missions. Private astronaut missions to the ISS would be pathfinders to demonstrate and stimulate demand for future commercial destinations. Enabling private astronaut missions to the ISS could also potentially increase the US crew vehicle transportation customer base which could drive down transportation costs for the future.

Benefits of private astronaut missions to the ISS:

  • Allows commercial industry the ability to gain insight into the costs associated with owning and operating a future commercial low Earth orbit economy destinations
  • Reduces market risk to commercial low Earth orbit economy destination developers by demonstrating the market (i.e. non-government human missions to low Earth orbit economy are a key market element for future commercial low Earth orbit economy destinations)
  • Expands range of commercial activities that can be performed on ISS
  • Potential to increase flight rate and reduce costs for access to low Earth orbit economy

For news releases and announcements related to private astronaut missions, see our Latest News page.

Ax-3 Mission Targets Undocking for Tuesday

NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX continue to target no earlier than 9:05 a.m. EST Tuesday, Feb. 6, for the undocking of Axiom Mission 3 from the International Space Station following the latest review of weather conditions off the coast of Florida.

Learn More about Ax-3 Mission Targets Undocking for Tuesday
The SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft carrying the four-member Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew is pictured approaching the International Space Station 260 miles above China north of the Himalayas.
The SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft carrying the four-member Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew is pictured approaching the International Space Station 260 miles above China north of the Himalayas.
NASA
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A Future in Orbit

NASA’s investment in low Earth orbit has launched a commercial economy in space. See how the private sector will expand the economic sphere with commercial cargo to space, commercial spaceflights, and commercial destinations in orbit, and how it will enable NASA to be one of many customers and advance human space exploration.

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Related Articles and Press Releases

Coverage Set for Axiom 3 Departure from Station

Explore hands-on activities, interactive, lesson plans, educator guides, and other downloadable content about this topic.

The SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft carrying the four-member Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew is pictured approaching the International Space Station 264 miles above a cloudy Indian Ocean east of the coast of Madagascar.

Axiom 3 Docks to Station

Axiom Mission 3 astronauts Michael López-Alegría, Walter Villadei, Marcus Wandt, and Alper Gezeravci arrived at the International Space Station at 5:42 a.m. EST Saturday, Jan. 20. 

A black and white SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches upward through the sky, a bright white-yellow plume trailing behind it.

Axiom Mission 3 Launches to the International Space Station

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. 

NASA, Partners to Welcome Private Crew Aboard Space Station

As part of NASA’s efforts to enable more access to space, four private astronauts are in orbit following the successful launch of the third all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.

The SpaceX Dragon Endurance crew ship approaches the International Space Station as Earth's horizon is seen in the background.

Axiom Space Selected for Another Private Space Mission in 2024

NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than August 2024.

NASA Enables Commercial Crew, Private Astronaut Missions

NASA’s efforts and investments, especially with the Commercial Crew Program, have enabled activity in low Earth orbit.

Axiom astronaut Michael E. Lopez-Alegria floats into the space station during the Ax-1 mission

Private Astronaut Mission Pricing Policy

NASA has outlined a broad strategy to facilitate the commercialization of low Earth orbit by U.S. companies, and will enable private astronaut missions to the International Space Station as part of that strategy.

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Low Earth Orbit Economy

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