Axiom Space announced today that Amir Blachman has been appointed the new Vice President of Strategic Development. In this role, Blachman will lead the financial planning, funding, and growth strategy for the world’s first private, international commercial space station.

With the International Space Station scheduled to be decommissioned in 2024, and no replacement on the horizon until now, Axiom Space is building the first international, privately-owned station that will host sovereign astronauts, private companies, and individual explorers. The Axiom International Commercial Space Station will expand the landscape of low Earth orbit, creating a historic shift in human spaceflight by further opening microgravity to nations, organizations and individuals. Axiom supports development of sovereign human spaceflight programs, in-space manufacturing and serves as a test base for lunar, Mars and deeper space missions.

Blachman joins Axiom Space from the plasma thruster company Phase Four, where he served as the Executive Vice President of Business Development and Finance, facilitating the company’s product development roadmap, budgeting and valuation analysis for funding. Prior to Phase Four, he was the Managing Director of Space Angels Network, a global angel investor network for the commercial aerospace industry. He is currently a Strategic Advisor to the solar-electric aircraft manufacturer Bye Aerospace, and a Venture Partner at FUTURE, a venture capital fund that invests in frontier technologies.

Blachman’s in-depth understanding of space industry investment and development will further solidify Axiom Space’s mission to create a means to deep space exploration. “Amir’s impressive career in space and technology startups makes him uniquely qualified to lead our strategic development,” said Michael Suffredini, President and Co-founder of Axiom Space and previous manager of NASA’s ISS program. “I am excited to welcome Amir as a key member of the Axiom team: our group of talented individuals committed to the passion and goal of commercializing low Earth orbit and democratizing access to space.”

“It’s rewarding, and an honor, to be part of this experienced team of astronauts, mission managers, engineers and space industry leaders,” said Blachman. “We have the opportunity and unique capability to build on the legacy of human spaceflight, increase our presence in microgravity, further commercialize low Earth orbit, and serve as an integral part of lunar, Mars and deep space missions planned by private companies and governments.”

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space, LLC is a private company creating the first international commercial space station to host government astronauts, private companies, and individuals for on-orbit research, manufacturing, space exploration systems testing, and tourism. Axiom’s vision is to make living and working in Earth orbit commonplace as a means to sustained deep space exploration. For more information, visit: www.axiomspace.com  or follow Axiom on social media at twitter.com/Axiom_Space.