The Ax-2 crew is currently on their journey back to Earth after 10 days in space conducting scientific experiments and outreach activities.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Ax-2 crew undocked from the ISS at 11:05 a.m. EDT. The vehicle is anticipated to splash down off the coast of Florida approximately at 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 30.
Coverage of the Ax-2 crew, Dragon’s re-entry, and splashdown will be available via Axiom Space and SpaceX beginning about an hour ahead of splashdown. You can find updates on splashdown here. The coverage will air on Axiom Space’s website and SpaceX’s website.
The Ax-2 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, from the Saudi Space Commission (SSC). During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-2 astronauts successfully executed over 20 STEAM outreach engagements and over 20 different experiments, as well as eight media events. The SpaceX Dragon will return to Earth with more than 300 pounds of cargo and important data that will impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and on-orbit, as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and benefit humankind on Earth.
Watch coverage of the Ax-2 crew return to Earth:
10:00 p.m. EDT webcast begins
11:00 p.m. EDT (approximately) splashdown