Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-06-2020 11:30 AM
Please use this topic to discuss Axiom Space's first private crewed mission (Ax-1) to the International Space Station.
denali414 Member
Posts: 822 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 03-06-2020 11:31 AM
Interesting. Space is very limited on the ISS, not sure how NASA and its partners on the ISS will feel about four extra tourists (or maybe scientists?) on board for 8 days.
I guess this would be the precursor to a commercial space station being built? Showing the viability of multiple crews aboard a station.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-06-2020 11:34 AM
There is plenty of room for short stays of 10 or more people aboard the space station. During shuttle missions, there were upwards of 13 people aboard the station for a week or more (seven shuttle crew members and six ISS expedition members).
quote:Originally posted by denali414: I guess this would be the precursor to a commercial space station being built?
As noted in Axiom's release:
Axiom plans to offer professional and private astronaut flights to ISS at a rate of up to two per year to align with flight opportunities as they are made available by NASA, while simultaneously constructing its own privately funded space station.
NASA recently selected Axiom's proposal to attach its space station modules to the ISS beginning in the second half of 2024, ultimately creating a new 'Axiom Segment' which will expand the station's usable and habitable volume. When the ISS reaches its retirement date, the Axiom complex will detach and operate as a free-flying commercial space station.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
On the planned Axiom flight, one seat would be occupied by a company-trained astronaut who would serve as the flight commander. The other three seats will be for customers who are to spend 10 days in orbit floating inside the space station. The Axiom astronaut would also oversee the space tourists while they were on the station, making sure that they did not interfere with the six crew members.
Mr. Suffredini said that the space station, with as much interior room as a Boeing 747 jetliner, should have enough room for everyone.
He declined to talk about the cost, but in the past, Axiom has confirmed that a seat on the trip will cost $55 million, and it has already signed up one person.
denali414 Member
Posts: 822 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 03-08-2020 10:00 AM
It is always interesting to see what happens when top Alpha males (and females) are stuck in a confined space and told what they can and cannot do for 10 days and for once not be in charge. Hope the psychological testing and training before any mission is real rigorous and money does not get in the way of safety.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-30-2020 12:09 PM
Axiom video release
There are moments that permanently alter the trajectory of your life.
We can’t tell you how your time spent in space will change you, but we know it will be profound, and propel you to make more meaningful contributions back on Earth.
Axiom Space is planning to launch the first-ever fully private mission to the International Space Station in late 2021 on a SpaceX Crew Dragon, with further missions for both national and private astronauts at a rate of approximately two per year.
All this as a prologue to building and operating the world's first commercial space station, to ensure a brighter future for everyone on Earth and set our course for life beyond it.
Our vision is a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1066 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 06-30-2020 06:38 PM
If the Axiom module is not equipped with its own human waste management system, there might be problems. Letting tourists in is one thing, sharing your toilet/toilet time with a bunch of strangers is a whole different ball of wax.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-11-2020 03:00 PM
From Axiom Space (via Twitter):
A multinational crew composed of three private astronauts and Michael Lopez-Alegria have now officially signed with Axiom.
In other words: the first private crew to go to orbit in human history – the crew of Ax-1 – has been assembled.
Mission launches NET late 2021. More details soon.
(And for anyone who might be curious, adjusting the exposure of the above photo reveals the three silhouettes are of the same stock photo model, so it offers no clues to L-A's AX-1 crewmates.)
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-15-2020 07:49 PM
From Michael Lopez-Alegria (via Twitter), Ax-1 will use Dragon "Resilience," which launched today (Nov. 15) with Crew-1 to the space station.
God willin' and the creek don't rise, I'll be leading the Ax-1 crew on the first purely commercial orbital mission in history a little over a year from now — on this very SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. It's gonna be a blast!
RobertB Member
Posts: 253 From: Israel Registered: Nov 2012
posted 11-16-2020 05:21 AM
Israeli Eytan Stibbe has announced that he'll be flying on this flight too.
"Next year, I will have the opportunity to participate in a mission to the International Space Station – a fascinating mission to science, education and the exploration of human nature," Stibbe said.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1680 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 01-26-2021 10:05 AM
From another site, apparently Michael Lopez-Alegrias backup is Peggy Whitson.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-26-2021 10:14 AM
Indeed, from Peggy Whitson via Twitter:
Not the first time I have backed up Michael Lopez-Alegria! The next best thing to flying in space is training for it! Looking forward to the commercial evolution.
And John Shoffner, a U.S.-based entrepreneur, air show pilot and race car driver, will backup Larry Connor as Ax-1 pilot.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-08-2021 10:17 AM
Ax-1 pilot Larry Connor will dive to Challenger Deep prior to launching to the International Space Station, CNBC reports.
Connor is partnering with deep sea specialist EYOS Expeditions to next week explore both the Challenger Deep and the Sirena Deep of the Mariana Trench in the DSV Limiting Factor submersible of Triton Submarines. ...
Next Monday (April 12) he will travel to Guam, with the first dive to the Challenger Deep on either Wednesday or Thursday – dropping down more than 35,000 feet to the extreme environment of the deep ocean floor.
A few days later Connor will dive again, to the Sirena Deep – "where there's only ever been two humans there before," he said. ...
Connor is aiming to be the first person to travel to both the deepest part of the ocean and outer space within 12 months.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-10-2021 09:12 AM
NASA and Axiom Space have signed a mission order for the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station and will host a teleconference with media at 11 a.m. EDT on Monday, May 10, to discuss more details about the mission.
The spaceflight, named Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2022 for an eight-day mission aboard the orbiting complex. The Axiom Space crew will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Teleconference participants are:
Phil McAlister, director, commercial spaceflight development, NASA Headquarters
Angela Hart, manager, commercial low-Earth orbit development, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
Dana Weigel, deputy manager, International Space Station, Johnson
Michael Suffredini, president and CEO, Axiom Space
Michael López-Alegría, vice president and Ax-1 commander, Axiom Space
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-18-2021 01:39 PM
The Ax-1 crew has reported for training. From Axiom Space (via Twitter):
Day 1.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-24-2021 12:07 PM
From Kathy Lueders, Associate Administrator for Space Operations (via Twitter):
Great news! We are targeting Feb. 21 for the launch of the Axiom 1 mission to the space station — the first private astronaut mission to the microgravity laboratory with Axiom Space. Our work continues to open space to more people than ever.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-20-2021 09:46 AM
Axiom Space is now targeting Feb. 28, 2021 as the launch date for its first crew.
From Kathy Lueders, NASA Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (via Twitter):
We've made great progress on our first private astronaut mission with Axiom Space to the International Space Station! Axiom Mission 1 astronauts Michael López-Alegría, Larry Connor, Mark Pathy and Eytan Stibbe cleared medical evals and are approved by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel.
These are important steps! Thanks to our international partners as we continue to work this mission with Axiom Space. Launch is now targeted Feb. 28 based on station traffic planning. It's exciting to see us maximizing the space station and expanding access to low-Earth orbit!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-18-2022 09:27 AM
Per today's meeting of the NASA Advisory Council's Human Exploration and Operations Committee, the launch of Axiom 1 is now targeted for no earlier than March 31.
The mission will be 8 to 10 days long.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-09-2022 10:15 AM
From Ax-1 commander Michael Lopez-Alegria (via Twitter):
A mural by Israeli artist Anat Ronen unveiled Monday in EaDo; a gift to Houston for hosting Ax-1 Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe — the second Israeli astronaut — during his training.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1191 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 03-09-2022 11:47 AM
Two questions, where is EaDo, and does anyone know what the hebrew letters spell out in the upper left picture of the astronauts in a SpaceX capsule? Thank you!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-09-2022 12:06 PM
EaDo is East Downtown Houston; the mural is located on the side of a building at 1110 Paige Street, a few blocks from the George R. Brown Convention Center.
posted 03-16-2022 10:45 AM
Flight delayed till April 3rd. More info to come.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-24-2022 09:17 AM
Spanish chef José Andrés working with chef chef Charisse Dickens have developed the menu for the Ax-1 mission. From Andrés (via Twitter):
I'm proud to partner with Axiom Space to have created the meals that will feed the Ax-1 crew on the space station ... paella, pisto con cerdo, jamón ibérico, marcona almonds and more!
In times like these we need to come together to remember our shared humanity. Believing in longer tables, believing in sharing, remembering we're part of the same planet. That’s the spirit of the space station and the spirit of eating paella from the same pan.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 387 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 03-24-2022 01:51 PM
What's the reason for the delay?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-24-2022 02:25 PM
To quote Axiom Space, "the new targeted launch date will allow teams to complete final spacecraft processing ahead of the mission."
There is a flight readiness review meeting tomorrow, after which the launch date will be confirmed.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-25-2022 05:37 PM
After the flight readiness review, NASA is targeting April 4 for the launch of Ax-1, assuming the Artemis I wet dress rehearsal proceeds as planned on April 3.
If there is a delay to the wet dress rehearsal, then Ax-1 would move up a day to April 3.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-28-2022 03:51 PM
The Ax-1 launch is now no earlier than Wednesday, April 6.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-03-2022 07:32 PM
Axiom Space release
Ax-1 now targeting April 8th launch
Axiom Space's Axiom mission 1 (Ax-1) is now targeting launch no earlier than (NET) Friday, April 8.
Late last week, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft arrived in the hangar at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it has since been mated with the Falcon 9 rocket. The team is continuing with pre-launch processing work in the hangar ahead of vehicle rollout on Tuesday, April 5. This shift puts dry dress with the Ax-1 crew on Wednesday, April 6, followed by an integrated static fire test of the rocket on the same day.
As such, SpaceX, Axiom, and NASA are now targeting NET Friday, April 8 at 11:17 a.m. EDT for launch of the Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station. Docking is scheduled for Saturday, April 9 at approximately 7:30 a.m. EDT.
The Ax-1 crew astronauts continue their quarantine in Florida and are ready and prepared for launch.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2022 11:12 AM
NASA photo release (credit Joel Kowsky):
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B as the Artemis I launch team prepares for the next attempt of the wet dress rehearsal test, right, as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft aboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2022 03:35 PM
NASA photo release (credit Joel Kowsky)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft aboard is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A during a brief static fire test ahead of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 387 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 04-07-2022 09:10 AM
How's the weather looking for tomorrow's launch?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-07-2022 09:50 AM
The Space Launch Delta 45 forecast for Friday's (April 8) launch attempt calls for only a 10 percent chance of violating weather constraints, with the concern focused on liftoff winds.
If the launch is delayed to Saturday, the forecast slightly worsens to a 20 percent chance of violating constraints, again for liftoff winds.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-07-2022 02:00 PM
NASA/Axiom Space video
The prelaunch news conference will focus on final preparations for the Ax-1 mission. It will discuss the results of the Launch Readiness Review (LRR), which evaluates the mission hardware and its readiness for launch.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-08-2022 07:10 AM
NASA/SpaceX/Axiom Space video
SpaceX is targeting Friday, April 8 for Falcon 9's launch of Axiom Space's Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station from historic Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
posted 04-08-2022 10:33 AM
T+12 minutes the Dragon spacecraft has separated from its second stage in orbit and the main booster landed about 2 minutes ago.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2022 06:57 AM
NASA/SpaceX/Axiom Space video
Live webcast coverage will resume approximately two hours before docking, which is targeted for 7:45 a.m. ET (11:45 UTC) on Saturday, April 9.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2022 07:31 AM
Docking achieved at 8:29 a.m. EDT (1229 GMT) after resolving an issue with the space station crew being unable to receive video from Dragon's centerline camera.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48271 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2022 07:42 AM
Prior to beginning their approach to the space station, the Axiom-1 crew checked in live from aboard Crew Dragon Endeavour:
MSS Member
Posts: 963 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 04-09-2022 12:24 PM
ISS configuration after SpaceX Axiom-1 docking:
posted 03-06-2020 11:30 AM
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