Jonathan Cirtain
personJonathan Cirtain is the CEO and President of Axiom Space.
Dr. Jonathan Cirtain is an accomplished physicist and technology executive, currently serving as CEO and President of Axiom Space. He has extensive leadership experience in the space and nuclear industries, including nearly a decade at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, where he held significant roles such as Manager of the Heliophysics, Planetary, and Space Weather Office. His background includes executive positions at BWX Technologies and IBX.
Articles · 4
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The space station startups: NASA’s new space station plan is mistaken
NASA's new space station plan faces strong opposition from Axiom Space, Vast, and Starlab Space executives. They argue that the market can sustain independent stations by 2030, countering NASA's belief of insufficient demand. Max Haot of Vast emphasized their readiness, while Jonathan Cirtain of Axiom highlighted revenue from private missions. Axiom has raised $450M in funding, while Vast has secured over $1B.
Axiom Space’s Suit Set to Fly in 2027
Axiom Space announced its space suit is set for an in-space test in 2026, with potential deployment on Artemis III or the ISS. The suit features specialized boots for lunar and station environments. CEO Jonathan Cirtain emphasized the responsibility of being NASA's sole suit provider amid increasing competition. Partnerships include Prada and Gu Energy Labs for design and astronaut nutrition.
Commercial station builders counter NASA’s assessment of LEO market
Vast's CEO Max Haot and executives from Axiom Space and Starlab Space countered NASA's claim of an undeveloped commercial LEO market, asserting profitability by 2030. They highlighted revenue from private astronaut missions and payloads, with Axiom planning to operate its station by 2028. Their responses to NASA's feedback request included 390 pages of analysis supporting their position.
Isaacman ‘gaining confidence’ both landers will participate in Artemis III
NASA is increasingly optimistic that both lunar lander providers, SpaceX and Blue Origin, will participate in the Artemis III test next year. Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed growing confidence during a recent interview. The test will involve an Orion crew capsule practicing rendezvous and docking with the landers, aiming for two lunar landings in 2028.