On April 8, 2022, the four-person multinational crew of Ax-1 made history as the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, marking a pivotal step toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The crew, composed of Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy, has been part of many historic moments since liftoff, from historic pieces of art to the first in-space demonstration of two-way 3D holoportation.
The Ax-1 crew has been in space for 17 days, 15 of them on the orbiting laboratory. Below are a few key highlights about the Ax-1 mission and its crew:
1. Axiom Mission 1 is a mission of firsts
Not only is this the first all-private mission to the ISS, it is also the first time a crew and spacecraft have traveled to the space station through commercial entities, inaugurating a new era in human space travel. The Ax-1 crew commanded a Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket, both manufactured by SpaceX.
Upon arrival to the ISS, the Ax-1 crew, the first all-private mission to the orbiting laboratory, is welcomed by the current astronauts. Credit: Courtesy of NASA
The crew is full of firsts, too. López-Alegría is the first person to ever command both civil (NASA) and commercial (Axiom Space) human spaceflight missions, Connor is the first private pilot in spaceflight history to reach the ISS, and Stibbe is the first Israeli astronaut to visit the ISS.
2. Each crew member completed more than 700 hours of astronaut training before launch
Over the course of 10 months the Ax-1 crew trained for the mission including at NASA facilities, like Johnson Space Center’s Vehicle Mockup Facility in Houston. Credit: Axiom Space
The Ax-1 astronauts are the first all-private crew to complete a NASA-style training flow. To prepare for the mission, each Ax-1 crew member completed between 700 and 1,000 hours of training in safety, health, ISS systems, and launch operations. They completed additional training for research and technology demonstration payloads. The Ax-1 crew exceeded NASA’s minimum training requirements to fly to, from, and stay aboard the ISS. They set a high training standard for future missions to work and live aboard the orbiting laboratory.
3. While docked to the ISS, the crew circled Earth approximately 240 times
When the mission ends, the crew will have spent more than 15 days aboard the ISS —hat translates to roughly 240 orbits around the globe, or just over 6.3 million miles traveled, while docked to the space station.
When the crew splashes down off the coast of Florida on Monday, April 25, the Ax-1 mission will have lasted approximately 17 days, 1 hour and 49 minutes.*
The ISS completes one revolution of Earth in 90 minutes, meaning the crew experienced about 16 sunsets and sunrises every day!
4. This is Commander Michael López-Alegría’s second “Endeavour”
This isn’t López-Alegría’s first spin on a spacecraft with the name Endeavour. On the Ax-1 mission, he commanded SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour; back in 2002, he flew on STS-113, Space Shuttle Endeavour. López-Alegría is an experienced NASA astronaut, currently holding NASA’s record for most spacewalks ever completed. He even helped build the ISS. Ax-1 is López-Alegría’s fifth journey to space.
Commander Michael López-Alegría works aboard the ISS. Credit: Eytan Stibbe
A unique aspect of the Axiom’s private astronaut missions is that each crew is led by a highly experienced astronaut. With López-Alegría’s help, the crew seamlessly joined the ISS expedition in progress without disrupting the work of astronauts already on board.
5. Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe became the first Israeli astronaut on the ISS
Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe enters the International Space Station, making him the first Israeli astronaut on the space station. Credit: NASA / Kayla Barron
Ax-1 marked the return to spaceflight for the nation of Israel. Stibbe became Israel’s second-ever astronaut and the first on the ISS. Stibbe’s mission was called the “Rakia Mission.” Under the banner “There is No Dream Beyond Reach,” one of Rakia's goals was to inspire a new generation to dream big. Stibbe used his time on the ISS to work with Israeli scientists, researchers, and innovators, as well as to develop engaging content for students in Israel. A Rakia Mission Control Center in Tel Aviv was opened to the public and frequented by Israeli schools, innovators, artists, entrepreneurs, and dignitaries including Israeli President Herzog.
Israel’s first astronaut was Stibbe’s friend and former commanding officer in the Israeli Air Force, Ilan Ramon, who perished along with his crew during re-entry of the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003. Stibbe brought surviving pages of Ramon’s diary, which he wrote in space, with him to the ISS. Stibbe also brought a painting created by Ramon’s daughter and a song written by his son.
6. Ax-1 led to one of the busiest science weeks on the ISS
Pilot Larry Connor conducts research aboard the ISS. Credit: Eytan Stibbe
The crew completed more than 25 research investigations, including Axiom Space-managed experiments like the TESSERAE prototype, a self-assembling space habitat, and the JAMSS air purification demonstration. While on board the ISS, the crew dedicated roughly 14 hours a day to scientific research and outreach. With 11 people onboard the space station and the Ax-1 crew’s ambitious research schedule, it was an exciting time for science on the ISS.
The Ax-1 crew returns to Earth with more than 200 pounds of scientific outputs and supplies, including NASA experiments, hardware and commercial science payloads.
The Axiom Space team interviewed some of the scientists behind the science during the Ax-1 Daily Mission Update webcast: WATCH HERE.
Artist Rendering of TESSERAE (TU Dortmund) Copyright Ariel Ekblaw / Responsive Environments
7. Crew members helped curate their own research portfolios
Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe works on science experiments aboard the ISS. Credit: NASA / Kayla Barron
In addition to supporting Axiom-managed investigations, the Ax-1 astronauts selected their own research investigations to carry out in space on behalf of institutions around the world, including Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Montreal Children’s Hospital, the Ramon Foundation, and several other organizations. Crew research investigations ranged from biological studies, such as how cells respond to microgravity to help better understand aging, to biomedical research on spine, cardiac, and brain health, and geographic studies. The crew’s involvement in selecting their own research projects was another unique aspect of the Ax-1 mission.
Find out more about the Ax-1 research.
8. Mission Specialist Mark Pathy tested a 3D two-way holoportation device on the ISS
Ax-1 Mission Specialist Mark Pathy successfully conducted the first ever two-way holoportation session from the International Space Station, connecting with Canadian astronauts Dr. Dafydd Williams and Joshua Kutryk on the ground from NASA’s Mission Control. Credit: Mark Pathy
If the self-assembling space habitat was not futuristic enough, Pathy led proof-of-concept for various emerging technologies, including the first in-space demonstration of two-way 3D holoportation, a mixed-reality app which uses special lenses to project images via hologram.
The innovation further expands virtual medical care capabilities in space while also providing improved solutions for medical operations taking place in remote areas on earth. It could also be used to connect astronauts with loved ones on Earth during future long-duration space missions to combat isolation and loneliness– imagine being hundreds of miles from home and being able to see and interact with real-time images of your family.
9. Through Ax-1, Pilot Larry Connor became the first person to travel to space and the depths of the ocean in one year
Connor’s trip to the ISS officially makes him the first person in history to reach space and the deepest parts of the ocean within one year. In April 2021, over the course of five days, Connor completed three dives to the Challenger Deep, Sirena Deep, and a seamount in the Mariana Trench, located in the Western Pacific Ocean near Guam.
10. Ax-1 is an international effort with outreach events in five languages
Mission Specialist Mark Pathy demonstrates children’s artwork from the ISS.
During their time in space, the crew members hosted more than 30 science outreach and engagement activities with hospitals, museums, schools, and research institutions around the world. They completed events in Spanish, Hebrew, French, English, and Arabic — expanding efforts to connect with more people around the world.
Connor spoke with students and families at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, a children's museum, science and technology center, and zoo in Dayton, Ohio, that focuses on science and natural history. He answered questions on topics ranging from his research to his experiences of life aboard the space station.
Pathy integrated an educational program into his Ax-1 activities, providing STEM curriculum to more than a dozen high schools across Canada. This included an exchange with Indigenous schools in partnership with RCGS and Canadian Geographic as part of a project called “Biinaagami - Our Shared Responsibility to the Great Lakes.” The educational program is intended to engage national and international audiences in addressing the environmental health and sustainability of the Great Lakes.
The entire crew spoke to students at Space Center Houston.
11. Did someone say paella?
Credit: José Andrés/ThinkFoodGroup
When astronauts prepare for their journey to space, they select the meals they would like to eat during their mission. The Ax-1 crew brought with them several specially crafted meals to enjoy in their temporary home in low-Earth orbit. Axiom teamed up with Chef José Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup to collaborate on a slate of dishes, including a classic Spanish rice dish called Arroz Estelle Valencia; a prized cut of Ibérico Pork with tomatoes, onions, eggplant, and peppers known as Secreto de Cerdo with Pisto; and Chicken and Mushroom Paella. The meals lean on flavors of López-Alegría’s native Spain. Chef Andrés joins a list of celebrity chefs whose food has nourished astronauts on the ISS, including Emeril Lagasse and Rachael Ray.
12. The crew spent extra time on Earth observations
Pilot Larry Connor takes Earth Observation photos from the ISS cupola. Credit: Michael López-Alegría
Throughout their mission Ax-1 crew members worked on Earth observation activities as part of their research portfolios. Since the inception of the International Space Station, crew members have used the orbiting laboratory as a valuable tool to capture images of the land, oceans, and atmosphere of Earth, and to record phenomena such as storms on Earth in real time. With the extension of the Ax-1 mission as a result of unfavorable weather at the splashdown site, the crew was able to devote additional time to this part of their research.
Pathy led earth observation activities in support of research and educational programs that aim to further analyze the impact of climate change, urbanization and other factors on the ecology and human habitation of North America.
Commander Michael López-Alegría takes photo of Earth from the ISS. Credit: Michael López-Alegría
As the ISS moved over storms on Earth, López-Alegría and Stibbe performed additional sessions of the ILAN-ES project by photographing lightning bolts in the atmosphere from above. Researchers and students simultaneously photographed the same lightning strikes from ground stations in specific locations across the world. This citizen science project aimed to better understand the structure and behavior of lightning while enabling hands-on scientific engagement and international collaboration.
13. The crew modeled space jewelry for microgravity and highlighted the importance the arts in STEAM
Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe demonstrates the first space jewelry.
From hosting art competitions with children to inspire environmental stewardship, to making history with music, the Ax-1 crew leveraged art to highlight science and technology throughout their mission.
While on the ISS, Stibbe co-created several unique artworks with over a dozen world-renowned artists. Some examples of the artwork include a “radio sculpture” — where radio waves transmitted from Earth to the ISS created a radio wave statue that will be shown on Earth. He also modeled the first “space jewelry,” a specially-crafted ring that operates in a unique way in microgravity.
Literally bringing music to new heights, López-Alegría and Neo-Classical Piano Prodigy BLKBOK performed a piano and keyboard duet performance of Stars (Ad Astra), a BLKBOK original composition. BLKBOK also performed Rocket Man, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The event stemmed from a desire by both López-Alegría and BLKBOK to encourage a dialogue about music and education.
14. The Wright brothers continue to make flight history on Ax-1
The Ax-1 crew brought both personal and historical items to the ISS. Connor, who hails from Orville and Wilbur Wright’s native Ohio, brought along a small piece of cloth used by the Wright Brothers on the first-ever powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903.
Ohio native Ax-1 Pilot Larry Connor works on science experiments during his historic mission to the ISS. Connor, working with the Mayo Clinic on Aging and Heart Health, brought human cells to test the effects of microgravity on the heart. His work in space examined the impact of microgravity on those cells, which can help us better understand aging. Credit: Eytan Stibbe
Another item among the crew’s personal stowage – López-Alegría brought an Expedition Flag from the Explorers Club. These flags are sent out on expeditions all over the globe and beyond.
15. This is just the beginning for Axiom Space, up next – building the world’s first commercial space station
Axiom Space’s future Axiom Station.
Ax-1 is the first of several proposed Axiom missions to the ISS and an important step toward Axiom’s goal of constructing a private space station, Axiom Station. The low-Earth orbit habitat will serve as a global academic and commercial hub. Axiom's vision of a thriving home in space is about facilitating breakthroughs and perspectives that benefit every human, everywhere – and provide access to low Earth orbit so that innovators, governments, and individuals can do the same.
Axiom is currently working on the next private astronaut mission to the ISS, Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), which will further the company’s efforts to build and operate a private space station to benefit every human everywhere.
Continue following the mission at axiomspace.com, and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
