The Axiom-1 (Ax-1) mission, made up of a civilian crew, took off on Friday April 8, 2022. The arrival of the SpaceX capsule to the ISS can be followed live the day after this launch.
For the very first time, SpaceX is sending civilians to the International Space Station (ISS). This is the Axiom-1, or Ax-1, mission carried out in partnership with Axiom Space. Until then, the manned SpaceX missions sent to the ISS were “professional”: the crews were astronauts, representing space agencies and leaving for long stays of a few months in the station.
Friday, April 8, 3 civilians and a former NASA astronaut took off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida (United States). The launch took place at the end of the day. As for the arrival of the crew in the ISS, it is scheduled for this Saturday, April 9. The event can be followed live.
Follow live the arrival of the Ax-1 mission in the ISS
The crew’s stay is planned to last about 8 days on board the station. The Ax-1 mission is made up of the following members: American-Spanish Michael López-Alegría (who was an astronaut), American Larry Connor, Israeli Eytan Stibbe and Canadian Mark Pathy. Their journey to the ISS takes place aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour.
Arrival of the Ax-1 mission in the ISS: what will we see?
The docking of the capsule will take place autonomously. The ship is expected to dock with the Harmony module of the ISS around 1:45 p.m. The live follow-up is expected to include a welcome ceremony reserved for the Ax-1 mission crew, as is customary when new members arrive on the station.Michael Lopez-Alegría,Larry Connor,Eytan Stibbe andMark Pathy will be greeted by the crew of Expedition 67, including German ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer.
Once arrived in the ISS, the 4 travelers will not be on vacation. They will spend their week in space conducting scientific research, outreach and commercial activities, NASA said.
While waiting for them to enter the ISS, you can contemplate take-off photosalready made available by SpaceX.