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Each ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø private astronaut mission (PAM) to the International Space Station is another critical step along the journey toward ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Station, the world's first commercial space station. These missions demonstrate that a private space company can operate human missions together with NASA and carry on the legacy and achievements of the International Space Station.

The ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Mission Control Center (MCC-A) is integral to the overall operations for astronaut missions. Since the company's first astronaut mission, ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Mission 1 (Ax-1), MCC-A has achieved a significant milestone in establishing a direct, live connection to NASA's Johnson SpaceCenter's Mission Control Center (MCC-H) services.  

ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø's MCC-A is officially the 12th Ground Segment Partner for the ISS Program. This connection allows ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø to execute missions inside ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Headquarters in Houston, Texas. This capability enables MCC-A to connect and directly communicate via voice and video to support ISS on-orbit operations, as well as payload operations outside of PAM missions. ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø's Ground Segment Team continues to add services and capabilities as progress is made toward the launch and operation of ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Station's first module. 

"MCC-A is the cornerstone of ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø's mission operations, providing a vital link between our private astronaut missions and NASA's resources. This direct connection to NASA's Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center not only enhances our operational capabilities but also underscores our commitment to seamless collaboration with NASA. By leveraging MCC-A, we are making the impossible possible for the future of commercial space exploration and the development of ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Station," said Tim Trevino, ground segment and mission IT manager at ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø.

MCC-A is manned and supported by the Ground Technical Officers (GTOs), ensuring all systems are go. During private astronaut missions, an ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Operations Lead (AXOL) leads the room comprised of officers responsible for research, communications, medical, integration, and stowage and timeline operations. 

Through this facility, ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø is enabling its customers and the global community to have a front-row seat to the work being done on the station. ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø is leveraging PAM missions to prepare for its next-generation orbiting laboratory. The Ax-4 crew will conduct demonstrations on orbit to test technologies that could be used on ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Station and beyond.