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!!
In a recent briefing on the mid-year update of the World Economic Situation and Prospects…
In a significant development, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers A Y V Krishna and…
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, is set to seek his…
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal has been elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar…
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, observed annually on May 17, celebrates the transformative impact…
DP World, a global logistics powerhouse, has launched its largest free trade warehouse zone in…