Axiom Space appoints former Google executive as new CEO

Axiom Space has appointed a former Google Cloud executive as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Tejpaul Bhatia takes the helm after serving as the space firm’s Chief Revenue Officer since 2021, replacing co-founder Dr Kam Ghaffarian, who will remain as Executive Chairman. 

The leadership change comes as the company, which is based in Houston, United States, prepares for its fourth human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and ramps up development of a next-generation orbital platform intended to replace the ISS by the end of the decade.

As Chief Revenue Officer, Bhatia secured more than £1 billion in contracts, including the first-ever sovereign government purchases of commercial human spaceflight services.

“I’ve been inspired by space exploration since childhood,” said Bhatia. “Leading Axiom Space at this critical inflection point in human spaceflight is the realisation of a lifelong ambition.”

Dr. Ghaffarian said Bhatia had been “instrumental” in turning the company’s founding vision into a reality.

Prior to joining Axiom Space, Bhatia held senior roles at Google Cloud, where he managed global partnerships and helped generate over $4 billion in sales pipeline. He previously founded three venture-backed start-ups, two of which were acquired, and led ESPN’s international digital expansion across North and South America, as well as Europe.

Axiom is currently the only company with NASA approval to attach modules to the ISS as a precursor to operating its own commercial space station. 

The company is also developing new lunar spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis missions, in partnership with Italian fashion house Prada.

As the commercial space industry moves away from government-run platforms, Axiom Space is positioning itself as a full-service provider for orbital infrastructure, astronaut training, and sovereign human spaceflight programmes. The company is also preparing to launch its first two orbital data centre nodes to low-Earth orbit later this year, aimed at enhancing in-space data processing capabilities.

“We are accelerating our investment in next-generation technologies—spacesuits, orbital infrastructure, and microgravity research and manufacturing—and we’re actively seeking passionate, visionary engineers, technologists, and entrepreneurs who want to help build humanity’s future in space,” Bhatia added.