SpaceX Launches Ax-3 Mission to ISS with First Turkish Astronaut Onboard
In a historic event, SpaceX successfully launched the Ax-3 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on January 18. The Crew Dragon capsule, named “Freedom,” was propelled into space atop a Falcon 9 rocket, marking the third mission organized by Houston-based Axiom Space. The launch, initially scheduled for January 17, was delayed by a day for additional prelaunch checks.
The Ax-3 mission, led by former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría, boasts a diverse crew. Alongside mission pilot Walter Villadei and European Space Agency astronaut Marcus Wandt, it includes Alper Gezeravcı, Turkey’s inaugural astronaut. Axiom highlights this mission as “the first all-European commercial astronaut mission” to the ISS.
Following liftoff, the Falcon 9’s first stage successfully returned to Earth at SpaceX’s Landing Zone-1. The Crew Dragon capsule embarked on a 36-hour journey to rendezvous with the ISS, where it is set to dock with the Harmony module. The astronauts, after a welcome ceremony, will spend approximately two weeks conducting microgravity research and experiments on physics, human health, and outer space medicine.
Axiom Space, the driving force behind Ax-3, aims to construct its private space station as an extension of the ISS. The company plans to launch its first module in 2026, attaching it to the Harmony module. As additional components are added, the Axiom station will eventually operate independently in orbit by the end of the decade.
This mission marks SpaceX’s 12th astronaut flight and underscores the ongoing collaboration between public and private entities in advancing space exploration.
Kindly share your responses in the comment section!!
Gujarat is a big and important state in India with a well-developed railway network. Many…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties totaling ₹76.6 lakh on four…
In a landmark move, the Assam state government has announced plans to launch its own…
The 54th National Safety Week is being observed across India from March 4 to March…
Gas-based power plants in India are currently operating at a low Plant Load Factor (PLF),…
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Raising Day is observed annually on March 10 to…