On Thursday, Turkey’s inaugural astronaut and a trio of European crew members embarked on a journey to the International Space Station, marking the latest mission organized by Texas-based startup Axiom Space.
Liftoff for #Ax3!
Axiom Mission 3 and its crew of private astronauts launched from @NASAKennedy at 4:49pm ET (2149 UTC), heading to the @Space_Station for two weeks of research, educational outreach, and commercial activities. pic.twitter.com/ghZ4iL936j
— NASA (@NASA) January 18, 2024
The Axiom quartet, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, successfully launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
This launch, which took place approximately an hour before sunset, signifies the commencement of a meticulously planned 36-hour flight to the orbiting laboratory.
The Axiom-SpaceX joint webcast broadcasted the live coverage of the launch. The Crew Dragon, which operated autonomously, was anticipated to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It was scheduled to dock with the orbiting outpost, which is currently inhabited by seven crew members.
The live video displayed the impressive sight of the 25-story-tall launch vehicle ascending through partly cloudy skies above Florida’s Atlantic coast, leaving behind a vibrant, yellowish trail of exhaust.
Footage from the crew compartment cameras showcased the four men securely fastened in their pressurized cabin, appearing composed in their white-and-black flight suits with helmets. The rocket ascended towards space while the live feed captured their journey.
Following nine minutes of launch, the Falcon 9’s upper stage successfully placed the crew capsule into its initial orbit.
In response to the well-wishes from mission control, flight commander Michael López-Alegría transmitted his gratitude from the Crew Dragon, stating, “As previously mentioned, this endeavor is a collaborative effort. Thank you all.”
Just moments ago, the reusable lower stage of the rocket separated from the rest of the spacecraft and autonomously made its way back to Earth. It gracefully landed on a designated zone near the launch site, prompting audible cheers from the control room.
This successful landing marks the third mission of its kind conducted by Axiom, a Houston-based company, in the last two years. Axiom specializes in facilitating space travel for astronauts sponsored by foreign governments and private enterprises, solidifying its position in the industry. Each astronaut seat is priced at a minimum of $55 million, reflecting the company’s premium services.
The Axiom-3 mission has been planned to have the crew spend approximately 14 days in microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During this time, they will conduct over 30 scientific experiments, with a particular focus on studying the effects of spaceflight on human health and disease.
Symbolically, this mission represents the increasing number of nations that are venturing into Earth orbit, aiming to enhance their global prestige, military capabilities, and satellite-based communications. Turkey, a long-standing applicant for EU membership, is now on the verge of joining the exclusive yet expanding group of ISS guest countries. They will achieve this by sending Alper Gezeravcı, a 44-year-old Turkish Air Force veteran, as their debut human spaceflight participant for the Ax-3 mission.
Accompanying Gezeravcı on this mission are Colonel Walter Villadei, a 49-year-old pilot from the Italian Air Force who has been designated as the pilot for Ax-3. Additionally, there is Marcus Wandt, a 43-year-old Swedish aviator who will serve as another mission specialist. Lastly, there is López-Alegría, a 65-year-old retired NASA astronaut and dual citizen of Spain and the United States. López-Alegría, who is also an executive at Axiom, previously commanded the company’s inaugural mission to the ISS in April 2022.