- According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia has purchased two seats on the SpaceX capsule.
- The country purchased the seats from Axiom Space as part of a plan to send Saudi astronauts to the International Space Station.
- Astronauts will be the first American to travel to space with a private company.
Saudi Arabia has bought two seats in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule from Axiom Space, according to people familiar with the matter Reuters.
Three anonymous sources confirmed to the news agency that the purchase is part of a plan to send two Saudi astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
The deal with Houston-based private company Axiom Space was signed earlier this year, the sources added.
Axiom Space did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment outside normal business hours.
Both seats are on the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which is bound for the International Space Station, where the Saudi astronauts are expected to stay for about a week, Reuters reported.
Astronauts will be the first American to travel to space with a private company. According to Reuters sources, the mission will be the second space trip arranged by Axiom.
Axiom flies to and from the International Space Station and is building the first commercial destination in space, Axiom Station, according to its website. The company launched its first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in April.The four civilian crew also travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, each NASA.
According to Reuters, private space companies such as Axiom are infringing on the unique diplomatic status between the United States and other countries, which is traditionally controlled by NASA.
Earlier this month, Axiom Announce It signed an agreement with the Turkish government to send the first Turkish astronaut into space.
Russian astronauts will also fly to the International Space Station with SpaceX under a new agreement between NASA and Roscosmos, Reuters report.
SpaceX and the Saudi Space Council did not immediately respond to Insider’s requests for comment outside normal business hours.
