Ax-2: The second private mission to the International Space Station
The Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) astronauts are part of the latest class of space pioneers and Axiom Space's next crew to expand access to the International Space Station (ISS) and low-Earth orbit. Aboard the orbiting laboratory, the four-person, multinational crew will conduct extensive research, investigate novel technologies, and engage with audiences around the world as champions of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Their efforts will continue to lay the groundwork and establish the key capabilities needed to build out and operate Axiom Station, the world's first commercial space station.
Launched May 21, 2023, 5:37 PM ET
Returned May 30, 2023, 11:04 PM ET
10 days
126 orbits
20 outreach events
26 research projects
19 Research partners
Mission Updates
Peggy Whitson
Ax-2 Commander
John Shoffner
Ax-2 Pilot
Ali Alqarni
Ax-2 Mission Specialist
Rayyanah Barnawi
Ax-2 Mission Specialist
Mission Overview
Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) is Axiom Space’s second all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), marking another pivotal step toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station and successor to the ISS.
The Ax-2 crew launched May 21, 2023. The four-person Axiom Space crew flew to space in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft atop its Falcon 9 rocket to participate in the mission, including working and living on the orbiting laboratory to implement a full manifest of science, outreach, and commercial activities.
Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and ISS commander, leads the mission. Aviator John Shoffner of Knoxville, Tennessee, serves as pilot. The two mission specialists are Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission continues progress toward the Axiom Station and a sustainable low-Earth orbit economy as humans venture farther for longer duration in space.
Robust Microgravity Research
Ax-2 is expanding access for users to conduct robust scientific research, biomanufacturing, technology demonstrations in low-Earth orbit. As the second private mission to the ISS, Ax-2 is an important step for Axiom Space and its academic and industrial partners to perform proof-of-concept studies and cutting-edge advancements in microgravity.
View Ax-2 Research
Michael López-Alegría
Ax-2 Backup Commander
Walter Villadei
Ax-2 Backup Pilot
Ali Alghamdi
Ax-2 Backup Mission Specialist
Mariam Fardous
Ax-2 Backup Mission Specialist
Ax-2 Memorabilia
Discover Ax-2 Axiom Space merchandise to celebrate the historic Ax-2 mission and its crew.
Shop the storePartners
Press & Media
Ax-2 Mission Resources
Axiom Space Brand Guide
Please direct all media & interview requests to media@axiomspace.com
Follow the mission on social and tag #Ax2
The Future of Humans in Space
Axiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today, while developing its successor – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, Axiom Station, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.