Houston-based Axiom Space raised $130 million in Series B funding to help build a commercial space station.
Axiom was selected by NASA in January 2020 to develop a commercial space station module that will initially attach to the existing International Space Station. This first module is set to launch in 2024, and then additional Axiom modules will be added to provide areas for housing, research and manufacturing.
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When the International Space Station is retired, this Axiom Station will detach and become its own free-flying station.
The station is expected to cost roughly $2 billion. Axiom is funding this through private investment and revenue from providing full-service human spaceflight missions, as well as its research customers and brand partnerships. In January, the company unveiled its first three private crew members who will each pay $55 million to go to space.
Axiom had previously raised $20 million over three fundraising rounds. Its Series B funding, announced earlier this week, will help Axiom grow its workforce and accelerate construction of its space station. Axiom is building a 14-acre headquarters campus at the spaceport located at Ellington Airport, and it will use this campus to train private astronauts and for production of its Axiom Station.
“Axiom Space is a force in the space sector, and it will become a centerpiece of the C5 Capital portfolio and enhance our vision for a secure global future,” C5 operating partner Rob Meyerson, who will join the Axiom Board of Directors, said in a news release. “The Axiom Station will be the infrastructure upon which we will build many new businesses in space, and it will serve as the foundation for future exploration missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.”
C5 Capital led the Series B funding round. Other participants include TQS Advisors, Declaration Partners (the investment firm backed by David M. Rubenstein), Moelis Dynasty Investments, Washington University in St. Louis, The Venture Collective, Aidenlair Capital, Hemisphere Ventures and Starbridge Venture Capital.
