UK Space Agency partners with Axiom Space for historic human spaceflight mission

The UK Space Agency has signed a deal with Axiom Space to pursue a commercially sponsored human spaceflight mission that could send four UK astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts would spend up to two weeks in orbit to conduct scientific research, demonstrate new technologies, and participate in education and outreach activities. Axiom Space, known for conducting private missions to the ISS, is now working with national space agencies to boost interest and investment in space. The European Space Agency (ESA) is also supporting the mission, and Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut to visit the ISS, may lead the crew. Axiom is also developing its own habitats that will join the ISS and operate independently as a private space station.