"Axiom Space has ousted its CEO after just six months, hiring Jonathan Cirtain to replace Tejpaul Bhatia. Cirtain, who joined Axiom in 2025 and holds a PhD in physics, will serve as both CEO and president. Executive chairman Dr Kam Ghaffarian thanked Bhatia for his service and for "steering the company through a significant transition period." Ghaffarian praised Cirtain's "proven track record" of leadership from his time running teams at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and in the nuclear industry."
"Axiom Space has faced some turbulence over the last year or so. Former NASA International Space Station program manager Mike Suffredini stepped down as CEO in August 2024. Ghaffarian took up the reins as interim CEO before Bhatia was appointed in April 2025. Bhatia joined Axiom Space in 2021 and oversaw several high-profile contracts over the years, including commercial spaceflight missions."
"Axiom Space's finances were called into question in 2024 when Forbes reported it had lost money on every commercial mission. In a letter seen by The Register at the time, Ghaffarian complained that the article painted "an inaccurate picture." However, he did not call out any specific inaccuracies regarding the figures. A space industry source today questioned whether the leadership shuffle signals deeper problems, saying: "Perhaps the lesson learned here is that private spaceflight is still too expensive." The Register asked Axiom Space for more information about the appointment and the fate of Bhatia. The company has yet to respond."
Axiom Space removed Tejpaul Bhatia as CEO after six months and appointed Jonathan Cirtain as CEO and president. Cirtain joined Axiom in 2025, holds a PhD in physics, and has prior leadership experience at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and in the nuclear industry. Executive chairman Dr Kam Ghaffarian thanked Bhatia for steering the company through a transition and praised Cirtain's track record. The company experienced recent leadership turnover and scrutiny over finances after a Forbes report claiming mission losses. Axiom still plans commercial flights in 2026 and continues work on a NASA spacesuit and a commercial space station.
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