SpaceX is ready to launch the second private astronaut crew to the International Space Station (ISS) for Axiom Space. The AX-2 crew is launching to space onboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft Freedom for a ten-day mission to carry out dozens of science research investigations.
Ax-2 is scheduled for launch on Sunday afternoon, May 21st, at 4:37 CDT from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Live coverage of the launch begins at 1:10 pm CDT to broadcast the crew’s prelaunch activities.
The live broadcast is available on SpaceX’s website, NASA LIVE, and on YouTube. Live updates will also be provided on Twitter by both Axiom Space and SpaceX.
The Ax-2 mission is the second crew of private international astronauts launching to the Space Station with Axiom Space. The four person crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson as commander, private citizen astronaut John Shoffner as the pilot, Saudi National astronaut Ali Alqarni as mission specialist, and Saudi National astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi as mission specialist. Barnawi will be the first female from Saudi Arabia to travel to space.
The four private astronauts have trained and prepared for this mission to space over the last several months. As part of this mission, the crew will conduct research experiments, test new technology, and connect with students through several STEM programs..
Following the launch of the AX-2 mission, Crew Dragon Freedom will fly on to rendezvous with the ISS and arrive at the Station on Monday, May 22nd, at 8:24 am CDT. The Falcon 9 booster is new and will return to Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral. During a prelaunch briefing earlier this week, SpaceX announced that they expect to land their Falcon 9 boosters used during crewed missions at the Cape because of “extra Falcon performance” that gives them the fuel necessary to achieve this.
Once on Station, the AX-2 crew will join Expedition 69 crewmembers, bringing the total number of astronauts to eleven. The crew will remain on the ISS for ten days before returning to Earth in their Crew Dragon spacecraft.
