National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) said it welcomed four private astronauts who are in orbit, following the successful launch of the third all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, on Thursday.
National Aeronautics and Space Agency said Axiom Space astronauts lifted off on January 18, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the company’s Dragon spacecraft carrying Axiom Mission 3 crew members Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, and Mission Specialists Marcus Wandt and Alper Gezeravci into orbit.
The crew is expected to spend about two weeks conducting microgravity research, educational outreach, and commercial activities aboard the space station, and are set to depart the space station on Saturday, for a return to Earth and splashdown at a landing site off the coast of Florida, the company added.
Bill Nelson, Administrator at NASA said, “During their time aboard the International Space Station, the Ax-3 astronauts will carry out more than 30 scientific experiments that will help advance research in low-Earth orbit.”
The space agency said on January 20, NASA will provide coverage of SpaceX Dragon’s docking, hatch opening, and welcoming remarks on the NASA+ streaming service and will also air live on NASA Television, NASA app, YouTube, and its website.
In November 2023, the company launched its new digital platform NASA+ with an objective to provide original content of NASA for all age groups.
The Washington DC-based space company said the expedition has 70 crew members, including NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara, as well as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen.
The crew also included JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Furukawa Satoshi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Konstantin Borisov, Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub, will welcome the Ax-3 crew.
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