Axiom Space’s third private astronaut crew, comprising Walter Villadei, Alper Gezeravcı, Marcus Wandt, and professional astronaut Michael López-Alegría, returned safely to Earth on Friday after completing a two-week mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew’s trip was delayed by four days due to poor weather conditions at the planned splashdown site off the coast of Daytona, Florida.
The crew’s experiences on the ISS were varied, with Wandt sharing a video on social media titled “Space waltz” just a day after emerging from the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that brought him home. In the video, Wandt can be seen practicing various maneuvers to help him glide more easily through the station in the microgravity conditions. He explained that the training prepared him for most of his tasks during the mission, but that it was difficult to train for the feeling of microgravity and the physical effort required to move his body in the weightless environment.
Wandt, a Sweden-native, spent much of his time on the ISS conducting science research and taking stunning photos of Earth. He noted that the training prepared him for most of his tasks, but that it was the feeling of microgravity that was most difficult to train for. He had to practice a bit on the station to get the hang of it.
The crew’s mission to the ISS was notable for being the third private astronaut crew to visit the station. In contrast to the first two private orbital missions, which were funded by wealthy individuals, three of the four seats on this crew were bought by national agencies. This marks a shift for Axiom Space, which had previously only offered seats to wealthy individuals.
Axiom Space’s Third Private Astronaut Crew Returns Safely to Earth After ISS Mission
NASA launched efforts to organize private orbital trips in 2019, after striking a partnership with Texas-based Axiom Space. The benefits of this initiative include reduced costs for access to the low-Earth-orbit economy and an expansion of the range of commercial activities that can be performed on the orbital laboratory. Axiom Space has already flown two private missions to the ISS, with the next one planned for no earlier than October this year.
The ISS is a vital research facility that has been continuously occupied by astronauts and cosmonauts since its launch in 1998. The station is used for a wide range of scientific research, including materials science, biology, and physics. It is also a testing ground for new technologies and a hub for international cooperation in space exploration.
The return of the Axiom Space crew marks the end of another successful mission to the ISS. As the space agency continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, private companies like Axiom Space are playing an increasingly important role in the development of commercial space activities. With the ISS serving as a vital hub for research and development, the future of space exploration looks brighter than ever.
