Khaberni - The Qatar Investment Authority announced its investment in Axiom Space "Axiom Space", a leader in the field of commercial human space exploration, and a statement from the authority clarified that the company raised $350 million in a funding round led by the Qatar Investment Authority and TypeOne Ventures "TypeOne Ventures", with participation from 4iG "4iG", LuminArx Capital Management "LuminArx Capital Management", as well as Kam Ghaffarian, the founder and executive chairman of Axiom Space, alongside other investors.
Axiom Space is at the forefront of the commercial space exploration scene, which is an emerging field. It focuses on developing infrastructure and providing advanced technological services that support manned space missions, microgravity research, space manufacturing, and orbital data computing for decades to come. This investment will support the company's mission to develop the Axiom Station, which is planned to be the future successor to the International Space Station (ISS), as well as developing next-generation space suits to be used in NASA's "Artemis III" mission, which represents the United States' return to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
The funding includes a mix of equity and debt and will support the completion of the development of Axiom Station and the production of Axiom’s extravehicular mobility unit (AxEMU), under the company’s contract with NASA to manufacture space suits. The participation of the Qatar Investment Authority in this funding round reflects its approach in collaborating with innovative companies in emerging sectors, through providing the necessary capital to support growth, technological advancement, and long-term sustainable value creation.
Axiom Space focuses on a commercial space infrastructure that includes manned flights, microgravity research, space manufacturing, and orbital data computing, making it a leader in a rapidly growing field driven by public-private partnerships. Both the Axiom Station and the AxEMU unit are part of NASA contracts, as the suits will be used in extravehicular space activities, enhancing the United States' commercial capabilities in lunar exploration.
The Qatari sovereign wealth fund continues to diversify its international portfolio through strategic investments in emerging technology, space, and digital infrastructure, with an increasing focus on the United States and global partnerships. In January of last year, the authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Goldman Sachs to invest $25 billion in asset management and co-investments funds, expanding Goldman's office in Doha to be a regional hub.
