SpaceX is sending civilians aboard the ISS for the first time, as part of the Ax-1 mission.
The launch in a nutshell
- What ? Sending tourists aboard the ISS;
- When ? April 8, 2022, at 5:17 p.m. (Paris time);
- Where ? From Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
What is the mission?
Ax-1 is the first civilian mission that SpaceX operates to take tourists aboard the International Space Station (ISS), in partnership with Axiom Space. Both companies plan to hold several over the coming years. Already, the Ax-2, Ax-3 and Ax-4 missions have been announced. They are expected for 2022 and 2023.
Until now, all manned SpaceX missions to the ISS were “professional” missions: they were carried out on behalf of the American space agency and its European, Canadian or Japanese counterparts. Each time, the people transported were trained astronauts and for long stays of a few months.
Here, the duration of the stay is about eight days in space and the four crew members are in fact three civilians and an ex-Nasa astronaut, to ensure the safety of the flight. We find the American-Spanish Michael López-Alegría (who was an astronaut), the American Larry Connor, the Israeli Eytan Stibbe and the Canadian Mark Pathy.
Michael López-Alegría has already spent 257 days in space and carried out 5 missions and 10 spacewalks. He will occupy the position of commander, while the other three will be respectively pilot and mission specialists for two of them. They will be under the constant supervision of SpaceX and Axiom Space, but also of NASA and other astronauts once on board.
When does take-off take place?
The shooting was planned for Wednesday, April 6, but it was decided to postpone it for two days. Now, the launch is expected for April 8, at 5:17 p.m. Paris time. The flight of the Falcon 9 rocket will take place from the United States, in Florida, at the Kennedy Space Center.
Where to see SpceX’s Ax-1 Flight Departure
A live stream is provided on the official website and via the company’s YouTube channel.