The launch of the Ax-1 is based on the Artemis 1 . supply test
At a press conference tonight, NASA officials said Axiom Space’s special mission Ax-1 is ready to launch to the International Space Station as early as April 3 at 1:13 p.m. EDT (17 hours 13 GMT), but only If NASA completed a critical review. Refueling test of its new massive rocket for the Space Launch System.
The Ax-1 mission, which will launch four private spaceflights to the station in a 10-day trip, including eight to the International Space Station, aboard a SpaceX rocket. SpaceX Pad 39A is used at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The massive Artemis 1 rocket for NASA’s Space Launch System is suspended atop nearby Pad39B for a “proper moisture rehearsal” scheduled for April 1-3.
NASA will likely complete an Artemis 1 refueling test early enough on April 3 for the Ax-1 to fly. Otherwise, the launch window for the special mission runs until at least April 7, NASA said.
Mission Ax-1 clears the flight readiness exam
Today, March 25, NASA, SpaceX and Space Axiom completed a one-day flight readiness review meeting for the planned Axiom (X-1) mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch no later than April 3, 2022.
The mission, which will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, will take four private astronauts to the space station for the first time. This is the resort’s first entirely private mission in over 20 years of history.
The Ax-1 will launch former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez Alegria and fare-paying passengers Larry Connor, Mark Pathy and Eitan Stipe. Lopez Allegria will lead the flight. Space travelers will spend 10 days in space and plan to conduct a series of scientific experiments and studies on the space station while enjoying the commercial spaceflight experience.
“During the ten-day mission, the crew will spend eight days at the International Space Station conducting scientific research, outreach and business activities,” NASA officials said in a statement.
NASA will hold a press conference tonight at 6:00 PM EST (22:00 GMT) To discuss plans for the Ax-1 mission. You can listen to the assignment live here.
Speaking at tonight’s press conference:
- Kathryn Lueders, Associate Administrator, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate
- Dana Weigel, deputy program manager for NASA’s International Space Station
- Angela Hart, Program Administrator, NASA’s Commercial Program for Low Earth Orbit
- Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space
- Derek Hassmann, Director of Operations, Axiom Space
- William Gerstenmaier, Vice President, Flight Building and Reliability, SpaceX