University Alliance expands to include Edinburgh Uni, KCL| Electronics Weekly

It’s a network of academic institutions focusing on space science. Specifically, working groups will focus on microgravity research and commercial innovation in low-Earth orbit (LEO), as well as more general R&D. The company describes it as a “global community of researchers, engineers and students”.

“Through the University Alliance, Axiom Space is uniting the international research community driven to enable human progress,” said the company’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Lucie Low.

“Together, Alliance members are taking the initiative to ensure microgravity research benefits everyone on Earth and our shared goals fulfil a scientific purpose to advance civilization.”

Datacentre in space

Pictured above is the Axiom Data Center Unit-1 (AxDCU-1). In 2025, this was heading to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was testing a processing and data storage unit for future commercial orbital use. Basically, a datacentre in space.

This is just one of the hundreds of scientific payloads Axiom has been flying to the International Space Station.

University Alliance

The Axiom Space University Alliance comprises:

• Adelaide University (Australia)
• ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (Australia)
• Arizona State University (United States)
• Cedars Sinai Medical Center (United States)
• Edinburgh University (United Kingdom)
• Georgia Institute of Technology (United States)
• Indian Institute of Science (India)
• Kings College London (United Kingdom)
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (South Korea)
• Middle East Technical University (Türkiye)
• National Central University (Taiwan)
• National Jewish Health (United States)
• Rice University (United States)
• Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
• University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
• University of Central Florida (United States)
• University of Houston (United States)
• Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
• University of Northumbria (United Kingdom)
• University of Notre Dame (United States)
• University of Pittsburgh (United States)
• Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain)
• University of Porto (Portugal)
• University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy)
• University of Texas at Austin (United States)
• University of Texas at El Paso (United States)

Commercial ecosystem

Axiom started its Space University Alliance in 2025, beginning with 15 members.

It’s stated aim was “to ensure that access to microgravity for research, innovation, and exploration remains a priority across the world as governments and global stakeholders navigate a transition to a commercial space ecosystem”.

Axiom

Axiom Space – along with Orbital Reef and Starlab – is one of Nasa’s three competing commercial space station partners.

They are all working on the design and development of possible new “orbital destinations” to replace the current International Space Station.

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