Axiom Mission 2: NASA, Partners Approve Crew For Axiom Space's Second Private Astronaut Mission To ISS
Ax-2 crew includes former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson, John Shoffner of Tennessee, and Ali Alqarni & Rayyanah Barnawi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
NASA and its international partners have approved the crew for Houston-based aerospace firm Axiom Space's second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), targeted for launch in spring 2023. The mission, called Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), is privately funded. Ax-2 will launch Saudi Arabia's first woman astronaut to space.
The crew members are former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson, John Shoffner of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Barnawi will be the first Saudi woman to fly to space.
Whitson will command the mission, Shoffner will serve as pilot, and Alqarni and Barnawiho are members of the inaugural Saudi national astronaut program, will serve as mission specialists, and will fly through an arrangement between KSA and Axiom Space.
In a statement released by NASA, Angela Hart, manager of NASA's Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program, said enabling more people to go to space is an important component of NASA's continuing efforts to grow the low-Earth orbit economy. She also said that private astronaut missions are a key component to enable a successful transition to a model of commercially owned and operated platforms in low-Earth orbit.
The four crew members will be launched into space in spring 2023, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Once the Crew Dragon spacecraft is docked, the private astronauts will spend 10 days aboard the orbital outpost. During their stay, they will implement a full mission of science, outreach and commercial activities.
Ax-2 will be the first private space mission to include both private astronauts and astronauts representing foreign governments. It will also be the first private mission commanded by a woman.
Michael Suffredini, president and CEO of Axiom Space, said the aerospace firm's second private astronaut mission to the ISS cements Axiom's mission of expanding access to space worldwide and supporting the growth of low-Earth orbit economy as the firm builds Axiom Station.
He added that Ax-2 moves Axiom Space one step closer toward the realisation of a commercial space station in low-Earth orbit and enables the form to build on the legacy and achievements of the station, leveraging the benefits of microgravity to better life on Earth.
According to NASA, Whitson will become the first female commander of a private space station, and through Ax-2, she will add to her standing record for the longest cumulative time in space by a NASA astronaut. Other prior accomplishments of Whitson include serving as NASA's Chief Astronaut, and the first female commander of the space station.
Whitson said she is honoured to be heading back to the station for the fourth time, leading the "talented Ax-2 crew" on their first mission. She also said this is a strong and cohesive team determined to conduct meaningful scientific research in space and inspire a new generation about the benefits of microgravity.
Shoffner is a businessman who has always had an interest in space, the stars, and flying. He became a pilot at the age of 17, and since then, he has amassed 8,500 flight hours and earned ratings for multiple aircraft types.
Axiom Mission 1, or Ax-1, was the first private astronaut mission to the ISS. The mission launched on April 8, 2022, with four private astronauts. The Ax-1 crew spent 17 days in orbit, and worked on 26 science payloads aboard the peace station. On April 25, 2022, the crew splashed down off the coast of Florida, marking the successful completion of the mission.
NASA aims to develop a thriving low-Earth orbit ecosystem and marketplace, and private astronaut missions are a precursor to these efforts.
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