In a groundbreaking move, Axiom Space successfully launched its third group of paying passengers to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft named Freedom. The Ax-3 mission, a private venture by the Houston-based company, marks the first all-European commercial crew journey to the ISS.
The launch took place in the early evening from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, following a brief delay attributed to the need for additional time to complete pre-launch checkouts and data analysis, including the parachute system energy modulator. Subsequently, SpaceX confirmed that “all systems are looking good for today’s launch,” without providing further details.
The Ax-3 crew, led by Axiom’s Chief Astronaut Michael López-Alegría, a dual U.S.-Spanish citizen and former NASA astronaut and ISS commander, includes Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and mission specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Turkey and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and the European Space Agency. Gezeravcı, the first Turkish astronaut, expressed the significance of the mission, stating, “This spaceflight is not a destination but a journey. This is just the beginning of our journey – for a long growing space journey in our future.”
The Crew Dragon capsule, Freedom, has a noteworthy history, having flown in space twice previously, participating in the Crew-4 mission in 2022 and Ax-2 in 2023. With a total of 179 days spent in space, Freedom has reliably ferried astronauts to and from the ISS.
Following the launch, the capsule is set to rendezvous with the ISS over the next 36 hours, covering approximately 250 miles above Earth. Once docked, the Ax-3 crew will spend two weeks on the orbital laboratory conducting around 30 experiments, encompassing microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach engagements, contributing to Axiom Space’s plans to construct its own space station in the future.
Simultaneously, SpaceX faced a setback in its Starlink satellite launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink spacecraft was abruptly called off with less than a minute left in the countdown. The company has not provided reasons for the delay or announced a new launch date. The mission, which had already faced a 24-hour delay, was expected to have additional opportunities starting the following day.
As the Ax-3 crew embarks on its historic mission, the diverse group of astronauts reflects the international collaboration in space exploration, while SpaceX continues to navigate the complexities of satellite launches, highlighting the challenges and uncertainties inherent in pushing the boundaries of space technology.