Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), the third all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, raises off at 4:49 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 18, from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASANASAs successful launch of the third all-private astronaut objective, including Axiom Spaces team aboard SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket, marks a considerable milestone in expanding access to space.As part of NASAs efforts to enable more access to space, four private astronauts are in orbit following the effective launch of the third all personal astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Hatches in between Dragon and the station are anticipated to open after 6 a.m., permitting the Axiom crew to enter the complex for a welcoming event and start their stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.International Collaboration and Return to EarthOnce aboard the station, Expedition 70 crew members, consisting of NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral OHara, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Furukawa Satoshi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Konstantin Borisov, Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub, will welcome the Ax-3 crew.The Ax-3 astronauts are expected to leave the space station on Saturday, February 3, pending weather condition, for a return to Earth and splashdown at a landing website off the coast of Florida.Expanding Horizons in Space ExplorationNASAs efforts, including private astronaut missions, are opening access to low Earth orbit for private market permitting the agency to become one of numerous clients in a flourishing business economy in space.
