{"id":9737,"date":"2025-10-01T01:16:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T17:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/axiom-space-taps-portuguese-physiologist-as-first-project-astronaut\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T01:16:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T17:16:22","slug":"axiom-space-taps-portuguese-physiologist-as-first-project-astronaut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/axiom-space-taps-portuguese-physiologist-as-first-project-astronaut\/","title":{"rendered":"Axiom Space taps Portuguese physiologist as first \u2018Project Astronaut\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Left to right) Axiom Space Chief Astronaut Michael L\u00f3pez-Alegr\u00eda trains with the first Axiom Space project astronaut Emiliano Ventura. Image: Axiom Space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Axiom Space is gearing up to launch the first module of its commercial space station as soon as next year, but it is also refining how it will train future crews to head into low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday at the 2025 International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Axiom Space announced that Emiliano Ventura, a Portuguese physiologist and director of the Motor & Sport Institute (MSI) Bio Performance Center, will be spearheading a new training program for Axiom Space called \u201cProject Astronaut.\u201d<\/p>\n

This pilot program is designed to test out a six-month astronaut training protocol, stemming from his background in physiology and sports science.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am honored to participate in Axiom Space\u2019s first Project Astronaut initiative, combining my expertise in human performance with astronaut training,\u201d Ventura said in a statement. \u201cThis program not only advances scientific research but also inspires the people of Portugal and the global community to engage with the future of space exploration.<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether with Axiom Space\u2019s unparalleled resources and flight heritage, we aim to set new standards in preparing astronauts for the challenges of commercial human spaceflight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ventura is no stranger to Axiom Space. The MSI Bio Performance Center has been working with Axiom Space as a European partner since at least Axiom Mission 3, which launched in January 2024.<\/p>\n

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Ax-3 Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt trains with MSI\u2019s Emiliano Ventura during quarantine. Image: Axiom Space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This new training program stems from Ventura\u2019s training research and will include things like centrifuges, parabolic flights, altitude chambers, outdoor leadership exercises and spacesuit operations training.<\/p>\n

Ventura will lead this new program with the goal of flying on a future mission aimed at better understanding \u201chow the human body adapts to microgravity,\u201d driven by his first-hand understanding of the science behind it.<\/p>\n

\u201cProject Astronaut embodies Axiom Space\u2019s dedication to mission readiness and continuous improvement,\u201d said Michael Lopez-Alegria, Axiom Space Chief Astronaut. \u201cEmiliano is the perfect candidate to lead this pilot program given his unique combination of expertise in human performance and extensive experience training previous crew members.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy integrating his research into our training programs, we are enhancing our future astronaut corps\u2019 capabilities both on the ground and in space. Astronauts Peggy Whitson, Koichi Wakata, and I will train alongside Emiliano every step of the way, with at least one of us participating in each training event. This initiative strengthens our commitment to enabling safe, effective, and inspiring commercial space missions while supporting scientific objectives worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the International Space Station winding down the number of years it will be functional on orbit, it\u2019s not clear if Ventura would fly to the ISS or a future Axiom Station, once it\u2019s operational.<\/p>\n

NASA is currently assessing plans for its fifth and sixth private astronaut missions to the space station. Axiom Space received the contracts to perform the first four of those with Axiom Mission 4 wrapping up back in mid-July.<\/p>\n