Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) in a journey that lasted approximately 36 hours. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the ISS Harmony module at 5:42 a.m. ET on Jan. 20, while soaring over the Pacific Ocean.
The Ax-3 mission marks another milestone with the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to launch to the ISS — redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and helping chart a course toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The Ax-3 crewmembers are Commander Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and the European Space Agency.
The multinational Ax-3 astronauts embarked on their historic mission to the ISS from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The liftoff occurred at 4:49 p.m. ET on Jan. 18.
The Ax-3 crew will soon enter the space station and be greeted by NASA’s Expedition Crew for the welcome ceremony. This will begin their up to 14-day mission on the orbiting laboratory conducting microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach engagements.
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