Unlock a $70 million space ticket: Axiom CEO reveals the ultimate astronaut experience

Why Axiom Space’s tickets cost a staggering $70 million

Beyond the front‑door price

• Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic tickets sit at $150 k and $600 k, respectively.
• Axiom’s fare dwarfs these options, but the difference goes far beyond the deposit.

A unique destination

Axiom’s missions aren’t a quick weight‑less sprint. Instead they end up on the International Space Station.

CEO Tejpaul Bhatia told Business Insider that a private astronaut’s stay lasts roughly two weeks, not the 11‑minute ride of New Shepard.

More training, more investment

• Bhatia emphasized that the $70 million includes a full “year‑long program” to become a trained astronaut.
• The company says its private astronauts undergo NASA‑standard training, though it isn’t as exhaustive as NASA’s own program.
• He added that the price “doesn’t just cover a ticket to space” but a “full‑on enterprise” where individuals invest far more than the ticket alone.

A reputation as an “astronaut whisperer”

Although Bhatia hasn’t yet flown, he’s often referred to as an astronaut whisperer—a title that underscores the depth of training and commitment required for private missions to the ISS.

Exploring the Next Frontier of Commercial Spaceflight

What the Business Insider Story Reveals

Business Insider has spotlighted a transformative journey: a human spaceflight program that goes beyond mere launch attempts. It is part of a grander blueprint: establishing the first commercial space station to seamlessly replace the International Space Station (ISS).

Key Milestones of the Commercial Station Initiative

• Human‑crewed missions: Dedicated flights aimed at bringing astronauts aboard.
• Station construction: Building a fully operational, commercial orbital platform.
• Legacy replacement: Phasing out the ISS, which will be decommissioned by 2030.

Why This Transition Matters

The ISS has long served as a vital hub for international crews and cutting‑edge research. The forthcoming commercial station promises to enhance scientific exploration, foster international collaboration, and ensure continuous access to outer space well beyond the current 2030 expiration.

Moving Forward

With each successful human spaceflight and station‑building milestone, the program moves us closer to an era where commercial space stations become the standard for international scientific research and crewed exploration.

Dedicating a year to training

Axiom Space’s One‑Year Road to the ISS

From Decision to Launch

• Choosing a spaceflight initiates a year‑long program; teams collaborate with customers to shape mission goals and secure contracts.
• Once a flight program is confirmed, astronauts enter an eight‑ to twelve‑month training schedule.

Training Through the Year

• Axiom partners with NASA, ESA, JAXA, and other space agencies to deliver intensive instruction.
• Participants receive 700 to 1,000 hours covering safety, health systems, ISS operations, and launch procedures.

Mission‑Specific Onboarding

• Initial onboarding focuses on mission objectives, safety protocols, and team cohesion.
• Detailed simulation and hands‑on training take place at SpaceX facilities, where crews learn about the Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

ISS Operations and Emergency Preparedness

• Crucial training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center covers payload management, microgravity adaptation, and emergency scenarios.
• International partners review and approve each crew before the mission proceeds.

Pre‑Launch Protocol

• About two weeks prior to takeoff, the crew quarantines – a standard safety measure adopted before the COVID‑19 era.
• Starting roughly one month before launch, crew members wear masks during any in‑person interactions—an additional precaution that reinforces flight safety.

‘Every minute’ of the flight is accounted for

Space Travel Costs Are Not Luxurious

While a ticket to space can cost up to $70 million, the journey is far from a comfortable luxury.

Rugged Reality

Bhatia described the experience as “rugged” and “not a comfortable place.”

Typical Stay Duration

• The usual stay on the ISS lasts about 14 days, though the exact duration can vary.
• Factors influencing the stay include spaceflight dynamics and weather conditions.

Regulated Routine

The two‑week mission follows a very regimented routine. Bhatia emphasized that the schedule heavily involves:

• Hard science experiments
• Focused research tasks

Time Management

CEO Bhatia stressed that every minute is accounted for during the mission.

Axiom Space Mission Highlights

Crew Schedule and Daily Operations

• Mission crew maintains a packed agenda throughout the voyage.
• Operational tasks include scientific experiments, system checks, and routine maintenance.

Public Engagement and Media Presence

• Astronauts appear live on prime‑time news broadcasts from the space station.
• While occasional technical glitches or transmission drops can occur, the majority of communications are meticulously planned.

Controlled Systems and Astronaut Preparedness

• The station hosts a complex array of controlled systems.
• Astronauts are equipped with the essential skills and knowledge required for mission success.

Descent and Return to Earth

• Mission concludes with the Dragon spacecraft executing a precise “small splashdown” into water.
• Post‑splashdown, crew transition back to Earth gravity and undergo extensive medical evaluations.
• Following medical checks, crew members proceed to scheduled post‑mission activities.

Growing interest in private space exploration

Bhatia’s Vision: From Government Contracts to Private Space Seats

Turning the Company’s Mission Toward Government Sales

When Bhatia joined the space company as chief revenue officer four years ago, the company shifted its focus toward government contracts. “Demand for the $70 million private ticket seems to be higher,” Bhatia explained. Over that span, the company has sold more private astronaut seats, although the seats remain unflown.

Market Evolution, Not Just Sales Ability

“It’s less about our ability to sell these tickets,” Bhatia said. “It’s about an evolution in the market.” The trend mirrors moves by other industry players, such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, which recently made headlines for its first all-female crew, including singer Katy Perry and Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez.

Public Backlash and Its Impact on High-Cost Missions

• When questioned whether backlash toward the mission and commercial space travel might affect support for high-cost missions like Axiom’s, Bhatia answered with confidence: “They’re not being influenced by those headlines.”
• The CEO acknowledged that public perception often frames space as a luxury when Earth’s problems seem urgent.
• “Space and Earth are not mutually exclusive, they never have been and never will be,” Bhatia added, emphasizing that humans are part of the universe and that space is “our environment as well.”

Suborbital Missions: A Passion for Space Natives

Bhatia described suborbital flights as “super cool” for any space enthusiast. Multiple factors likely contributed to the backlash, including criticism of the mission’s company or crew. The CEO also noted that the overarching mindset is that people shouldn’t spend money on space when Earth’s problems demand attention.

Future Plans: Flying the Company’s Mission for Others

When asked about his own future space flight, Bhatia said he believes it will eventually happen. “It’s become more of a mission for me to figure it out for others,” he concluded, underscoring his focus on enabling others to experience space.