Axiom Space launches ‘Project Astronaut’ to redefine the era of spaceflight training — Here’s all you need to know

From left to right, Axiom Space Chief Astronaut Michael López-Alegría trains alongside Emiliano Ventura, the first participant in the company’s Project Astronaut programme. (Image: Axiom Space)

A new era in astronaut preparation is taking shape as Axiom Space launches Project Astronaut, a pioneering training initiative that fuses traditional spaceflight instruction with human performance science. Announced at the 2025 International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, the programme is designed to push the boundaries of astronaut readiness and deepen our understanding of how the human body adapts to microgravity.

How Will Project Astronaut Transform Space Training?
Project Astronaut aims to merge classic astronaut skills with methods used to train elite athletes. Portuguese physiologist Emiliano Ventura has been chosen as the programme’s first participant and will embark on an intensive six-month course. The training will include reduced-gravity flights, centrifuge testing, altitude chamber sessions, and underwater escape drills. High-performance jet missions, field exercises, biomedical evaluations, and spacesuit handling will also form part of the curriculum.

By integrating physiological optimisation into standard astronaut training, Axiom hopes to uncover new insights into how the human body responds before, during, and after space missions. The ultimate aim of the project is to enhance astronaut performance and resilience, and create the way for more sustainable and safe space exploration.

Who Is Emiliano Ventura and Why Is He Key?
Ventura brings over two decades of experience in human performance science, having previously supported astronauts in physical recovery programmes linked to International Space Station missions. His expertise in optimising human endurance and resilience will now be applied to spaceflight training.

“This programme not only advances science but also inspires people in Portugal and around the world to connect with the future of space exploration,” Ventura said. His participation represents a crucial step in merging physiology and astronautics to make long-duration missions more manageable for the human body.

What Are the Global Implications of the Programme?
Axiom Space believes Project Astronaut could become a global model for future astronaut preparation. Veteran astronauts Peggy Whitson, Koichi Wakata, and Michael Lopez-Alegria will mentor Ventura throughout the training, combining decades of operational expertise with the latest scientific approaches.

Lopez-Alegria said the initiative demonstrates Axiom’s commitment to evolving astronaut training and strengthening the company’s commercial spaceflight ambitions. The programme should yield useful insights into human adaptation to space and have implications for private missions as well as international exploration.

By combining science, innovation, and real-world experience, Project Astronaut represents a turning point in humanity's preparation for existence beyond the planet, paving the way for the next generation of space travelers.