Ax-2 crew completes Human Exploration Research Analog mission

The four crew members of Axiom Mission 2, called Ax-2, are inside the HERA habitat at NASA's JSC. The photo captures their smiling faces as they look down from the second floor of the habitat. — The Ax-2 crew members - Whitson, Shoffner, Barnawi, and AlQarni - inside of the HERA habitat.

To simulate their 12 days in space, the crew of Ax-2 participated in the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), a training program designed to push people to the extremes and intended to prepare this team for their mission to orbit.

Ax-2 crew members spent about a week inside the HERA habitat, a unique 650-square-foot three-story structure at NASA Johnson Space Center. The habitat serves as a ground-based analog for isolation, confinement, and remote conditions in exploration scenarios.

As part of HERA, the Axiom Space Mission Integration and Operations (MI&O) team planned a space mission similar to what the crew will experience on Ax-2. Focused on completing several key objectives, crew members worked on completing tasks on their timeliness and trained on equipment and procedures they will be using when they visit the International Space Station. The crew worked through emergency scenarios and participated in team-building exercises ahead of their historic mission.

As a big focus of the mission is on inspiring students and STEAM engagement; the crew was excited to be part of a live outreach event speaking directly with the children of Axiom Space employees who asked curious questions about space and life as an astronaut.

The four crew members of Axiom Mission 2, called Ax-2, stand side-by-side inside the HERA habitat at NASA's JSC. — The Ax-2 crew members - (left to right) John Shoffner, Rayyanah Barnawi , Peggy Whitson and Ali AlQarni - inside of the HERA habitat.