Skip to main content

HOUSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Axiom Space, Inc., the leader in human spaceflight and human-rated space infrastructure, announced Tuesday it has welcomed Col. Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force (ItAF) to its headquarters in Houston to begin astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) as part of Axiom's professional astronaut services.

Through a partnership with KBR and NASA, Axiom, which trains and flies professional and private astronauts, is able to provide potential astronaut candidates access to facilities, instructors, and training at NASA. Candidates for flight complete Axiom's training curriculum over many months in preparation to live and conduct meaningful work in space.

"I am thrilled, after being qualified as cosmonaut, to begin training as a professional astronaut with Axiom," Col. Villadei said. "It is a unique opportunity to support the Italian role in the expansion of human space exploration, advancing the historical, strong partnership between Italy and the U.S. and opening up new possibilities in technology development as well as opportunities for new generations of scientists and engineers. As Axiom's first international astronaut trainee, it is an honor to help establish a closer relationship between Axiom and Italy."  

Axiom Space and the Italian Air Force signed a contract on November 1, 2021, as a cornerstone step for preparing Col. Villadei to fly on a future Axiom research mission.

Villadei's training adds yet another dimension to an important and growing partnership between Italy and Axiom Space. Italy's Thales Alenia Space, building upon a rich heritage in human spaceflight – including construction of modules for the International Space Station – is currently constructing the primary structure for the first two modules of Axiom's world's-first commercial space station. Both modules will be shipped to Houston for installation of all operational subsystem and outfitted for crew and scientific use before their planned launch in 2024 and 2025.

Further discussions with Italian officials are underway to support broader collaboration with Italian industry and substantive participation on Axiom Station, whose launch and operation will open new markets in low-Earth orbit – an essential step in creating a sustainable space economy enabling the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

"Italy's contributions to space and its collaboration with the United States go back decades and, as an important partner to Axiom, extend into the future," Axiom President & CEO Michael Suffredini said. "We are excited about Italy's new role as a partner in commercial space, beginning with Col. Villadei's training, and eagerly anticipate future agreements deepening this relationship as we work together to drive low-Earth orbit settlement and commercialization for scientific and technological development."

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space, the premier provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. Founded in 2016, Axiom is opening new markets in low-Earth orbit through operating end-to-end missions to the International Space Station while privately developing its successor – a permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

TOP Pageant News Now

Maria Gigante was crowned Universal Woman 2024 on March 22nd: Check LIVE Stream

Sofia Veron was crowned Reina Latina Internacional 2024 on March 21st: Check Streams and Check Results

Streaming Now Universal Woman 2024 on March 22nd from Cambodia: Check Results

Miss Botswana 2024 Final on March 23rd at the Royal Aria

Nine Contestants are Vying The Miss Gibraltar 2024 Crown at Final on March 23rd

Miss Beauty of Zeeland 2024 LIVE Stream on March 23rd from the Theater de Mythe in Goes

Miss Face of Cameroon / Miss Grand Cameroon 2024 Final on March 24th

Mister & Miss Supranational Cuba 2024 Final on March 24th at CUZ Miami Venue in Doral

Miss Mesoamérica International 2024 Final on March 24th in El Salvador

Miss Universe Netherlands 2024 Contestants announcement on March 24th

Miss Grand US Virgin Islands 2024 Final on March 25th

Miss Louisiana USA & Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2024 Dates are March 29th-30th

Miss Supranational Botswana 2024 on new date April 6th with Top 12 out of 30 Contestants

Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2024 Registration Deadline is March 20th

Miss Universe Laos Accepting Registrations, Deadline March 22nd

Miss Lesotho 2024 Registration Opens, Deadline March 31st, Final September 7th

Miss Supranational Perú 2024 Final on April 2

Miss Danmark 2024 Castings on March 23-24 and April 6-7

Miss Brazil World 2024 @ CNB Brasil: New Dates are May 26-30, Coronation on May 29th

CNB Ecuador 2024 Final on June 8th with 26 Contestants for The 73RD Miss Universe Pageant in Mexico