Axiom changes its assembly order: the power-and-thermal module goes first and the station will fly free sooner

Axiom Space/Axiom Station

Axiom Space revised its station assembly plan in December 2024: the Payload Power Thermal Module (PPTM) now launches first and docks briefly at the ISS, then detaches to join the first habitat module and fly as a free-standing station. This accelerates timeline by ~two years and reaches independent operation sooner while fitting NASA's ISS deorbiting preparations.

• New sequence: Payload Power Thermal Module (PPTM) launches and docks at ISS first.
• PPTM separates from ISS by 2028 and joins Habitat One (Hab-1) as independent Axiom Station.
• Acceleration: ~2 years earlier than previous plan.
• Rationale: avoids conflicts over ISS docking port NASA reserves for US Deorbit Vehicle; aligns with ISS retirement timeline.