A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the businesss Dragon spacecraft, lifts off from NASA Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A in Florida on May 21, 2023, for the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station. On May 21, Axiom Space launched its second personal astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), to the International Space Station from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
On Sunday, May 21 at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), Falcon 9 released Axiom Spaces Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following stage separation, Falcon 9s very first phase arrived at Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Credit: SpaceX
The Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), Axiom Spaces 2nd personal astronaut mission, successfully released from NASAs Kennedy Space Center on May 21. The Ax-2 team will conduct over 20 clinical experiments on the International Space Station before going back to Earth on May 30.
4 personal astronauts remain in orbit following the successful launch of Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), the second all-private astronaut objective to the International Space Station (ISS). Axiom Space astronauts raised off at 5:37 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21, from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket moved the businesss Dragon spacecraft bring Ax-2 crew members Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi into orbit on a mission to conduct clinical research study, outreach, and industrial activities on the spaceport station.
The SpaceX Dragon team ship launches 4 Axiom Mission-2 astronauts to the spaceport station from NASAs Kennedy Space Center on May 21, 2023. Credit: SpaceX
” Congratulations to Axiom, SpaceX, and the Axiom Mission 2 crew on an effective launch! During their time aboard the International Space Station, the Ax-2 astronauts will perform more than 20 scientific experiments, assisting us better understand space radiation, weather in low-gravity conditions, and more,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “This mission is more evidence of NASAs dedication to help our industry partners establish the next generation of space technology and a support a growing industrial space economy.”
On Sunday, May 21 at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), Falcon 9 launched Axiom Spaces Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “This objective is more proof of NASAs dedication to assist our market partners develop the next generation of space innovation and an assistance a growing industrial space economy.”
Beginning at 7:30 a.m. Monday, May 22, NASA will provide live protection of SpaceX Dragon docking, hatch opening, and an event to welcome the crew on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agencys site.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, bring the businesss Dragon spacecraft, takes off from NASA Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A in Florida on May 21, 2023, for the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station. Ax-2 is the 2nd all personal astronaut objective to the International Space Station, sending out Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will invest about 10 days carrying out scientific research study, outreach, and industrial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
The SpaceX Dragon will autonomously dock to the space-facing port of the stations Harmony module around 9:16 a.m. Monday with hatch opening about 11:13 a.m. Live objective coverage will conclude following the welcome ceremony expected to start about 11:45 a.m. The mission also will be covered by Axiom Space on its site.
On May 21, Axiom Space released its 2nd personal astronaut objective, Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), to the International Space Station from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Ax-2 team members, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, were transferred into orbit where they prepare to conduct scientific research study, outreach, and business activities. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
As soon as aboard the station, the Ax-2 team will be welcomed by Expedition 69 team members, including NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, Stephen Bowen, and Woody Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Dmitri Petelin, Sergey Prokopyev, and Andrey Fedyaev.
Axiom Space astronauts are anticipated to leave the space station on May 30, pending weather condition, for a return to Earth and splashdown at a landing website off the coast of Florida.