The Axiom-3 launch is set to take place on Thursday, January 18, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. For the first time, a European Space Agency (ESA)-sponsored astronaut will join a private crew on a mission to the International Space Station. This mission represents a new era of collaboration between public and private sectors in space exploration.
The launch will be carried out by SpaceX, using a Falcon 9 rocket to propel the Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The crew consists of Commander Michael López-Alegría, a dual citizen of the US and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of Italy, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı of Turkey, and ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt of Sweden. This diverse international team will spend two weeks on the space station, conducting scientific experiments and conducting spacewalks.
The Axiom-3 mission is notable for being the first all-European commercial astronaut mission. Gezeravcı will also become the first Turkish astronaut to travel to space. The mission is a testament to the growing trend of public-private partnerships in space exploration, as Axiom partners with the ESA to carry out the mission.
NASA will provide live coverage of the launch and mission, beginning at around 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT) on January 18. The coverage will include the final preparations before launch, the liftoff, and the beginning of the mission up to the point of orbital insertion. The stream will be available on YouTube and NASA’s recently launched streaming service, NASA+. Viewers can also tune in to NASA TV on their smart TVs or other devices.
In addition to the launch coverage, viewers can watch the Crew Dragon docking with the space station on Friday, January 19, at around 3:30 a.m. ET (12 midnight PT). The coverage will include the opening of the hatch between the spacecraft and the station, as well as welcome remarks from the crew.
Axiom-3 Mission Marks New Era in Private Space Exploration
The Axiom-3 mission represents a significant milestone in private space exploration, demonstrating the capabilities of private companies like SpaceX and Axiom to carry out complex missions. As the space industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more public-private partnerships and exciting missions like Axiom-3 in the future.
For those interested in watching the launch and mission, NASA has made it easy to access the coverage through various platforms. The launch will be streamed live on YouTube, NASA TV, and NASA+, with the option to watch on smart TVs, Roku, Hulu, or Apple TV. Whether you’re a space enthusiast or simply curious about space exploration, the Axiom-3 mission is an event not to be missed.
The Axiom-3 mission is a significant milestone in private space exploration, marking a new era of collaboration between public and private sectors. The mission represents a testament to the capabilities of private companies like SpaceX and Axiom, and demonstrates the potential for exciting and complex missions in the future.
