US Racing Driver To Pilot NASA's Second Private Astronaut Mission To Space Station

NASA has chosen American aerospace firm Axiom Space for the Ax-2 mission. 4 astronauts will be launched aboard a SpaceX Crew-Dragon spacecraft, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

New Delhi: NASA said Tuesday that it has chosen American aerospace firm Axiom Space for the second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The mission, called the Axiom Mission or Ax-2, is targeted for launch between fall 2022 and late spring 2023, NASA said on its website.

The Axiom Mission 1 or Ax-1 is NASA and Axiom's first private astronaut mission to the space station. It will be operated by SpaceX on behalf of Axiom Space. The flight will launch on 21 February 2022 and send four people to the station for an eight-day stay.

Mission Overview

NASA announced the first two crew members for the Ax-2 mission in May 2021. Retired NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and American racing driver John Shoffner have been confirmed for the mission, with Shoffner serving as the pilot. Once the crew docks into the ISS, they will stay aboard the orbital outpost for a maximum of 14 days. The private astronauts will conduct in-orbit activities in coordination with other space station crew members and flight controllers on the ground. NASA and Axiom will negotiate with each other for the same. The Ax-2 astronauts will conduct scientific research and outreach activities in space. 

All astronauts that go to the space station are reviewed by NASA and its international partners. The proposed Ax-2 astronauts would also undergo NASA medical qualification testing to be approved for flight.

Based on Axiom's ability to execute the mission successfully, NASA's ability to support it, and Axiom's contribution to NASA's mission and goal of low-Earth orbit commercialisation, the US Space agency evaluated the mission proposal.

NASA has updated its pricing policy for private astronaut missions. The Ax-2 mission is also subject to this policy, which reflects the full value of costs to the agency that are above the baseline capabilities of the space station.

NASA, in its June 2021 research announcement, said it had not made any selection for a third private astronaut mission. After learning from the first private astronaut flight and other applicable station activities, NASA will announce a new flight opportunity in future, the space agency said on its website.