The first all-European commercial space mission reaches the ISS
First all-European private trade mission to International Space Station (ISS) arrived this Saturday on board Dragon ship to the flying laboratory, where four members of its crew will remain for two weeks to conduct scientific research in microgravity conditions.
Latino-led crew Michael Lopez-Alegriajoined the seven members of Expedition 70 aboard the ISS: two American astronauts, a Dane, a Japanese and three Russian cosmonauts.
Ax-3 mission, the third organized by an American company Axiom of Spacein collaboration with NASA, took off Friday from the Kennedy Space Center in central Florida with the goal of conducting more than thirty scientific experiments in microgravity conditions on the ISS, including studies of stem cells and cancer.
The dragon is 8 meters high and can accommodate 7 passengers.docked with the ISS Harmony module at 5:42 a.m. EDT (10:42 GMT) today, following a successful docking and while the orbiter was approximately 262 miles (421 kilometers) above the Pacific Ocean, to the west from South America.
A couple of hours later, the Dragon’s hatch opened and its crew left the capsule to embrace the seven members of Expedition 70. The last to leave was her commander Lopez-Alegria.
“This mission is emblematic of how Axiom is working with NASA to expand human access to low Earth orbit (LEO),” said an excited Lopez-Alegria.
He then mentioned the human wealth that comes with having “so many nationalities represented” on the ISSthe opportunity it opens up for new researchers to “continue the great work that has been going on” at the station over the past two decades.
A few minutes earlier, Expedition 70 astronaut Andreas Morgensen, the first Danish citizen in history, delivered a rousing welcome to the Ax-3 crew on behalf of his crew.
“It’s an incredible time to be in space with a third private mission.something that allows many other countries to participate in scientific research and technological development on board the orbiting laboratory,” Morgensen said, noting that for the first time in the history of the ISS, five Europeans are on board at the same time.
In addition, for the first time, the crew that will stay at the orbital outpost for 14 days consists entirely of Europeans.
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In addition to Lopez-AlegriaItalian goes on a mission Walter Villaday (pilot) and specialists Alper Gezeravtsithe first Turk to go into space, and Markus Wandtfrom Sweden.
Ax-3 astronauts will leave the space station on February 3 as planned, subject to atmospheric conditions, to return and land off the coast of Florida.
The private mission will also help advance private development and use of the ISS in this new era and create a strong and sustainable market in low Earth orbit.
This fifth flight of the Falcon 9 first stage launch vehicle and a third from the Dragon spacecraft, capable of carrying significant cargo.
Former Spanish NASA astronaut Lopez-Alegría, 65, who was born in Madrid, already led Axiom’s first commercial mission in 2022, when he spent 17 days on the ISS. For this occasion, he will stay on the aforementioned space station for two weeks.
Axiom Space was created in 2016 to exploit the emerging market for commercial activities in low Earth orbit, from tourism to manufacturing.
The private commercial company plans to operate its own space station, the construction of which it will begin as part of the ISS with the goal of launching the first module in 2026.
These private missions are carried out in partnership with NASA, which charges Axiom Space for use of the space station.