NASA has selected the space station manufacturer Axiom Space to develop and launch a commercial node that will attach to the ISS for a minimum of five years.
Earlier this week, Axiom Space was selected by NASA to create a commercial module for the International Space Station that will serve as a "research & manufacturing facility, crew habitat, and large-windowed Earth observatory."
Though neither organization has disclosed what the interior of this space will look like, it's likely that it will be inspired by the designs published in 2018 by Philippe Starck. The French designer was asked by Axiom to create interiors of the habitation module that would host visitors who travel to the ISS as part of the company's first space tourism program, a program which was previously confirmed to begin this year.
Starck wanted to create a nest-like space that "stemmed from a fetal universe." The cushioned walls are embedded with tiny LED lights that change color according to the stations current view of space.
When the ISS eventually retires, the Axiom module will be detached and fly freely in space as a commercial station available for international use.
As stated by the company, "the human dream of universal access to living and working in space has drawn one step closer."
The launch of this module is expected to take place during the second half of 2024 and will remain attached to the ISS for at least five years.
