Plans for an all-UK astronaut mission into orbit are taking shape, and it could see four British astronauts embarking on a groundbreaking mission. The endeavor is being developed by Axiom,

an American company known for organizing visits to the International Space Station (ISS), and it has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK Space Agency to pursue this ambitious project.

While the expected cost for such a mission would be around £200 million or more, the unique approach is to fund it entirely through commercial means, with no contribution from UK taxpayers. Axiom has confirmed that discussions with corporations and institutions interested in providing financial support are already in progress.

The last British astronaut to venture into space was Tim Peake, who flew to the ISS in 2015 as a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut. Tim Peake expressed his excitement about this new venture, describing it as a pioneering "national mission" that operates on a commercial model, setting a precedent for future space endeavors.

The details of the mission are still under development. The crew members have not been selected, and the mission's destination remains undecided. While Axiom has primarily relied on SpaceX capsules to transport astronauts to the ISS, the UK mission could adopt an alternative approach, with the crew orbiting Earth in a capsule, conducting experiments and outreach activities before returning to Earth.

If the mission involves visiting the ISS, NASA would require the inclusion of a seasoned astronaut in the crew. Given the scarcity of UK passport holders who meet this criterion, Tim Peake is a likely candidate for the role of commander.

Axiom, founded by a former NASA official responsible for the ISS, has organized two missions to the ISS thus far, with a third scheduled to launch soon. These missions have provided flight opportunities for high-net-worth individuals and government-funded astronauts who are not part of the station's regular crew rotations.

To make the new space economy in low-Earth orbit sustainable, it must extend beyond billionaires and government funding and engage sectors not traditionally involved in space activities. The UK Space Agency's forward-looking approach to fostering private investment in emerging space companies aligns with this vision.

The timing of the "Axiom-UK" mission remains uncertain, pending securing financing and finalizing the mission profile. If the mission involves the ISS, there are limited annual slots available for commercial visitors, with costs exceeding £100,000 per night per individual.

Axiom is also in the process of attaching modules to the ISS that will form a separate commercial space station when the aging ISS is decommissioned. Key components for this project are being manufactured in Italy by Thales Alenia Space.

Moreover, Axiom's collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) has led to a memorandum of understanding, providing European member states with a means to increase their citizens' access to space. Several European countries, such as Hungary, Sweden, Poland, and Italy, are considering funding trips to space using public resources to promote space exploration and research. ESA is actively planning for the post-ISS era in low-Earth orbit, anticipating what the future may hold after 2030.

In summary, the prospect of a British astronaut mission into orbit represents a novel approach to space exploration, and it is making significant strides toward becoming a reality. This mission showcases the UK's leadership in transitioning to a commercial space industry, offering exciting opportunities for scientific research and expanding human access to space. Photo by NASA, Wikimedia commons.