Axiom Space’s Ax-1 Astronauts to Hold Return from Space Press Conference

HOUSTON, 10 May 2022 – The astronauts of the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) and Axiom Space leadership will host a press conference to discuss their experience as the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). 

The four-person multinational Ax-1 crew includes Commander Michael López-Alegría of Spain and the United States, Pilot Larry Connor of the United States, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe of Israel and Mark Pathy of Canada.  

During their 17 days in space, the crew conducted over 25 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations and completed over 30 outreach efforts from the ISS. The crew returned to Earth with more than 200 pounds of science and supplies, including NASA experiments, hardware, and commercial science payloads. 

The Ax-1 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, April 8 at 11:17 a.m. for their short-duration mission. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, the crew spent extra days at the space station, returning to Earth on Sunday, April 24, and safely splashing down off the coast of Florida. 

Ax-1 is the first of several proposed Axiom missions to the ISS and an important step toward Axiom Station, the world’s first private space station, which will serve as a hub in low-Earth orbit for research and exploration.  

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Friday, May 13 

Ax-1 Post Mission Press Conference – A Conversation with Ax-1 Astronauts  

10 a.m. CT 

Zoom   

Axiom Space leadership and the Ax-1 astronauts will discuss mission highlights, including a recap of the robust research activities, training, and what the crew learned during their time in space. The event will then open to questions from the press and social media. Watch live at AxiomSpace.com or on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel. 

Participants include:  

• Michael Suffredini, President and Chief Executive Officer, Axiom Space  

• Michael López-Alegría, Commander, Ax-1  

• Larry Connor, Pilot, Ax-1  

• Eytan Stibbe, Mission Specialist, Ax-1 

• Mark Pathy, Mission Specialist, Ax-1 

To participate in this press briefing please register no later than 5 p.m. CT, Thursday, May 12 at media@axiomspace.com. Media unable to attend may submit a question to Axiom Space at media@axiomspace.com 

Follow along for mission updates with #Ax1 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, as well as our website.   

Axiom Space’s First All-Private Astronaut Crew Returns From 17 Days on The International Space Station

courtesy of SpaceX

HOUSTON 25 April 2022 - The Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) crew and the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft safely splashed down off the coast of Florida at 1:06 p.m. ET, Monday, April 25. The Ax-1 crew’s arrival back to Earth officially concludes the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), successfully demonstrating Axiom Space’s ability to integrate with the ISS and conduct meaningful research.   

During their 17-day mission, Ax-1 Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy worked aboard the orbiting laboratory for 15 days. They flew approximately 6.3 million miles, about 240 orbits of Earth. Among the many highlights:  

• Ax-1 supported 26 science payloads and technology demonstrations that had been curated with leading academic and research partners around the globe, including the Mayo Clinic, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and the Ramon Foundation, as well as research investigations from Axiom’s partners such as studying self-assembling technology for future space habitats, devices to purify air on space stations, and more;  

• The Axiom astronauts served as research subjects to better understand the impacts of microgravity on the human body, as well as methods for maintaining connectedness to loved ones on Earth during space travel; and   

• The Ax-1 crew shared the excitement of expanded access to space with a new generation of space explorers, participating in over 30 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) engagements. Outreach efforts were conducted in English, Hebrew, Spanish, French, and Arabic  

In keeping with the mission’s emphasis on scientific discovery, within hours of splashdown and recovery, the astronauts will take part in post-flight studies such as providing biomedical and physiological data for researchers at the Translational Research Institute for Space Health to gauge the effects of spaceflight on the human body, including changes in vision, balance, and perception. 

“Axiom Space is incredibly proud of this mission and these astronauts, whose training rigor and commitment to a robust research portfolio set the standard for future private spaceflight,” said Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space. “The Ax-1 mission is a pathfinder, showing the value of this new method of access to orbit and progress toward Axiom Station, a next generation platform in which the benefits and products of life, work and research in space will be available to a greater number of people.”   

Ax-1 is the first of several planned Axiom missions to the ISS and is an important step for Axiom Station, the first commercial space station that will serve as a global academic and commercial hub. The success of Ax-1 provides valuable insight as Axiom Space works toward Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), the details of which Axiom Space is negotiating with NASA.  

“The success of this first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station is an important step in opening opportunities for space travelers and achieving NASA’s goal of enabling commercial business off the planet in low-Earth orbit,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “This progress has been made possible by NASA’s work with private industry – especially the Commercial Crew Program. I’m incredibly proud of the NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom teams for safely completing this landmark mission. Welcome home, Ax-1!”  

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched Dragon and the Ax-1 crew to the ISS on Friday, April 8. Seventeen days later, Dragon and the Ax-1 crew undocked from the space station at 9:10 p.m. ET, Sunday April 24. The Ax-1 mission, the first all-private mission with a commercial spacecraft, highlights the important role of commercial companies to expand access to low-Earth orbit. Ax-1 represents the first of four private human spaceflights that Axiom Space has contracted with SpaceX to transport the crew to and from the orbiting laboratory.

The crew provided the following statements on their return:  

Michael López-Alegría, Ax-1 Commander, vice president of business development at Axiom Space, former NASA astronaut 

"It's remarkable to think what was once a dream of visionaries is now a reality as we have officially opened a new era in human-spaceflight with Ax-1. This mission pushed the boundaries further and beyond and opened the door to a future that allows access to Space for a much broader and more international audience", noted Ax-1 Commander Michael López-Alegría. "The Ax-1 mission would not have been possible without the remarkable team of professionals at Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, training teams, our personal friends and family, and so many others who, through sheer passion, enthusiasm, hard work, and resilience helped us to succeed and navigate this uncharted path. On behalf of myself and the Ax-1 Crew, we thank you all. Going to Space is an amazing adventure, but more than anything else, it offers perspective in the most literal sense. You see the world differently and come home with a new frame of reference- a new way of looking at the world. I am personally grateful to have had this opportunity once again, particularly to have shared this experience with Larry, Eytan, and Mark - Thank you! It's an incredible honor to share this journey with you all. Plvs Vltra." 

Larry Connor, Ax-1 Pilot, entrepreneur and non-profit activist investor:  

“I feel like our training prepared us for the logistics of space travel and the research for which we were responsible. And I feel like some of my previous endeavors prepared me for some of the unknowns that come with space travel. But I don’t think there’s anything that can truly prepare humans for the sights and feelings that come with circling the globe every 90 minutes. The ISS is a technical marvel. It is complex and busy. The amount of groundbreaking research happening in this flying orbiting laboratory is really breathtaking. And this isn’t just for the United States, this is for all humanity. This was a humbling experience. I hope we’ve played a role – however small – in allowing future generations to have similar experiences,” said Connor.  

Eytan Stibbe, Ax-1 Mission Specialist, impact investor and philanthropist: 

"I've had the honor of being part of Ax-1, the first private crew mission to the International Space Station, and leading the Rakia Mission. The underlying goal of Rakia is to recognize the prospective benefits of space exploration, through it we all aspired to draw on the curiosity associated with human space travel and unleash its creative potential. It aspires to raise awareness of the importance of preserving Earth’s limited resources and fostering commitment to international collaborations and the advancement of space research" says Eytan Stibbe, Impact Investor, Philanthropist, and Ax-1 Mission Specialist. "During the mission days dozens of scientific experiments which were developed by Israeli researchers and scientists were conducted onboard the space station, and students, educators, researchers, intellectuals, and the general public were stimulated by the exposure to it, and to the demonstration of the use of Israeli technology. On the educational level, Rakia enabled live transmission of educational content to hundreds of thousands of Israeli students in Hebrew, for the very first time from the ISS. In addition, Rakia presented a unique opportunity to see Israeli art projects being formed and exhibited in space. Rakia Mission and the people behind it prove that "no dream is beyond reach". I am excited to see the impact of the mission continue for years to come and to meet the many partners that created this mission and contributed to its' success upon my return to Israel,” said Stibbe.  

Mark Pathy, Ax-1 Mission Specialist, entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist:  

“Joining the Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station has provided me with a unique platform to contribute to science that aims to tackle important issues affecting life on Earth, as well as contribute to the new era of space exploration we have entered,” says Mark Pathy, investor, philanthropist and Ax-1 Mission Specialist. “Under the theme 'Caring for People and the Planet', I had the immense honour of collaborating with Canadian institutions and scientists who are paving the way for a better future. On orbit, I was able to take part in a total of 12 science research projects in partnership with six Canadian universities and their investigators, including clinician-researchers at The Montreal Children’s Hospital and Child Health Research at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; as well as technology proof-of-concepts with two technology startups, among them the world’s first two-way holoportation demonstration. I also conducted Earth observation activities in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Western University. Last but not least, I experienced the wonders of space travel; of staring into space, literally; and of time spent aboard the ISS in the company of fellow astronauts from various missions, including my Ax-1 crew mates -- this was truly a life-altering experience that delivered well beyond my expectations. I return to Earth a changed person,” said Pathy.   

Axiom Space is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom operates end-to-end missions to the ISS today while privately developing its successor – a permanent commercial destination in Earth’s orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.  

For more information:

Bettina Inclán 
Bettina.inclan@axiomspace.com  
Media@axiomspace.com 

15 Things to Know about Ax-1

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: 

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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. 

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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.

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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! 

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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.

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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.  

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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

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

Ax-1 Crew Undocks from ISS, Axiom Astronauts Begin Journey Home

The Ax-1 crew is currently on their journey back to Earth’s surface after almost 15 days on the orbiting laboratory conducting scientific experiments and outreach activities.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Ax-1 crew undocked from the International Space Station at 9:10 p.m. ET Sunday, April 24, and is heading home to Earth.

The vehicle is anticipated to splash down off the coast of Florida on Monday, April 25. Live coverage of the Ax-1 return to Earth will resume on Monday, April 25, when Axiom Space and SpaceX will offer joint webcast coverage of splashdown, beginning at approximately 12:00 p.m. ET on AxiomSpace.com and SpaceX’s YouTube channel. See additional coverage details here.

Ax-1’s crew includes Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy. While onboard the space station, the four-person, multinational Ax-1 crew conducted work for more than 25 research projects with partners across the globe, including the Mayo Clinic, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and the Ramon Foundation. The astronauts are also set to deliver research investigations for Axiom-managed organizations such as self-assembling technology for future space habitats, cell samples, and more.

The Ax-1 crew is history’s first all-private crew to travel to the ISS. Ax-1 is the first of several proposed Axiom missions to the ISS and an important step toward Axiom Station, the world’s first private space station in low-Earth orbit, which can serve as a global academic and commercial hub.

SpaceX Dragon Hatch Has Closed, Ax-1 Prepares to Undock from ISS

Views from inside the ISS during hatch closure.

The hatch between the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft and the International Space Station closed at approximately 7:26p.m. ET, Sunday, April 24, the start of readying the vehicle for undocking for the Ax-1 crew’s return to Earth. 

The vehicle is anticipated to undock from the ISS at 8:55 p.m., Sunday, April 24. 

Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX will provide joint coverage of the undocking of the Dragon Endeavour with the Ax-1 crew at 8:30 p.m. ET and will conclude around 9:15 p.m. after Dragon fully departs the protected area around the ISS. The joint webcast will be available on AxiomSpace.com, NASA.gov/live and SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

The Ax-1 crew, Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy, will splash down off the coast of Florida at approximately 1:06 p.m., Monday, April 25. 

Axiom Space and SpaceX will offer joint webcast coverage for splashdown, beginning at approximately 12:00 pm ET on AxiomSpace.com and SpaceX’s YouTube channel. See additional coverage details here.

On Monday, April 25, following splashdown, Axiom Space and SpaceX leadership will provide remarks and take questions from reporters via teleconference at 3:30 p.m. 

Participants include:

• Derek Hassmann, Operations Director, Axiom Space

• Benjamin Reed, Senior Director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX

While aboard the ISS, the astronauts worked on more than 25 scientific experimentsin partnership with leading global organizations, including the Mayo Clinic, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and the Ramon Foundation. The astronauts are also set to deliver research investigations for Axiom-managed organizations such as self-assembling technology for future space habitats, cell samples, and more.

Ax-1 To Depart from Space Station Today

At the conclusion of a weather briefing today, Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX teams elected to proceed with today's undocking of the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) from the International Space Station. Undocking is scheduled for 8:55 p.m. EDT, Sunday, April 24.

Ax-1 Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy are targeted to close the hatch about 6:50 p.m.  to begin the journey home in SpaceX Dragon Endeavour with splashdown off the coast of Florida approximately 1:06 p.m. Monday, April 25.

Axiom Space’s live coverage of the Ax-1 return will include three separate segments over two days - hatch closure, undocking and splashdown. All segments will be available at AxiomSpace.com. (all times Eastern)

The full schedule includes:

HATCH CLOSURE
6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 24
Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m., with hatch closure targeted for 6:50 p.m. Coverage will conclude shortly after hatch closure and will be available on AxiomSpace.com and NASA.gov/live.

UNDOCKING
8:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 24
Coverage of the undocking of the Dragon Endeavour with the AX-1 crew begins at 8:30 p.m. Undocking will occur at approximately 8:55 p.m. The webcast will conclude on Sunday around 9:15 p.m. after Dragon fully departs the protected area around the ISS. The webcast will be available on AxiomSpace.com, NASA.gov/live and SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

SPLASHDOWN
12:00 p.m. ET, Monday, April 25
Coverage will begin at 12:00 p.m. with splashdown targeted for 1:06 p.m. The webcast will continue through the recovery of the Dragon and the Axiom astronauts. Coverage will conclude at around 2:15 p.m., once the crew is safely out of the spacecraft. Watch events live on AxiomSpace.com and SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

POST-SPLASHDOWN TELECONFERENCE
3:30 p.m., Monday, April 25
Following splashdown, Axiom Space and SpaceX leadership will provide remarks and take questions from reporters via teleconference. Participants include:

• Derek Hassmann, Operations Director, Axiom Space

• Benjamin Reed, Senior Director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX

To participate in the briefing media must request call-in details no later than 8 a.m. Monday, April 25, by emailing media@axiomspace.com. This is a teleconference-only event (not in-person) with audio-only.

This information will be updated as times are confirmed for events related to mission operations.

Follow along for mission updates with #Ax1 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, as well as our website.

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 16

Ax-1 Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe takes a moment to smile while working with the CRISPR experiment.

Due to weather at splashdown sites, the Ax-1 crew will be spend another night on the International Space Station. The crew is well prepared and ready for their journey home after spending a few extra days aboard the ISS.  

Ax-1 astronauts are now planning to undock from the ISS tomorrow, Sunday April 24th at 8:55 p.m. ET and will splashdown off the coast of Florida on Monday, April 25 around 1:00 p.m. ET.  

The integrated teams at Axiom, NASA, and SpaceX will continue to monitor and assess weather at the splashdown sites prior to undocking to ensure conditions are acceptable for a safe recovery of the Ax-1 astronauts and SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. 

Ax-1 Undock Postponed to Sunday

The teams at Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX have decided to postponed undocking of the Ax-1 mission until Sunday, April 24 due to high winds at the splashdown site. Axiom Space has updated the media advisory.

NASA posted additional details on the ISS blog, “Axiom Mission 1 Undock Postponed to Sunday, Space Station Reboosts” saying:

“At the conclusion of a weather briefing ahead of today's planned undocking, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX teams elected to wave off today's undocking attempt due to a diurnal low wind trough which has been causing marginally high winds at the splashdown sites. The Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) crew is now targeting to undock from the International Space Station 8:55 p.m. EDT Sunday, April 24. Weather permitting, the Ax-1 crew is targeted to close the hatch about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, April 24, to begin the journey home in SpaceX Dragon Endeavour with splashdown off the coast of Florida approximately 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 25. “

The schedule has been updated and live coverage of the Ax-1 return will include three separate segments over two days - hatch closure, undocking and splashdown. All segments will be available at AxiomSpace.com. The full schedule includes:

HATCH CLOSURE
6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 24
Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m., with hatch closure targeted for 6:45 p.m. Coverage will conclude shortly after hatch closure and will be available on AxiomSpace.com and NASA.gov/live.

UNDOCKING
8:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 24
Coverage of the undocking of the Dragon Endeavour with the AX-1 crew begins at 8:30 p.m. Undocking will occur at approximately 8:55 p.m. The webcast will conclude on Sunday around 9:15 p.m. after Dragon fully departs the protected area around the ISS. The webcast will be available on AxiomSpace.com, NASA.gov/live and SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

SPLASHDOWN
12:00 p.m. ET, Monday, April 25
Coverage will begin at 12:00 p.m. with splashdown targeted for 1:00 p.m. The webcast will continue through the recovery of the Dragon and the Axiom astronauts. Coverage will conclude at around 2:15 p.m., once the crew is safely out of the spacecraft. Watch events live on AxiomSpace.com and SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

POST-SPLASHDOWN TELECONFERENCE
3:30 p.m. ET, Monday, April 25
Following splashdown, Axiom Space and SpaceX leadership will provide remarks and take questions from reporters via teleconference. Participants include:

• Derek Hassmann, Operations Director, Axiom Space

• Benjamin Reed, Senior Director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX

To participate in the briefing media must request call-in details no later than 8 a.m. Monday, April 25, by emailing media@axiomspace.com. This is a teleconference-only event (not in-person) with audio-only.

This information will be updated as times are confirmed for events related to mission operations. Follow along for mission updates with #Ax1 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, as well as our website.

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 15

After 15 days in space, tomorrow the four-person multi-national Ax-1 crew will finally head home back to Earth. If the weather conditions remain favorable, Ax-1 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy plan to undock from the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 6:35 p.m. EDT. On Sunday, April 24, the crew will splashdown off the coast of Florida around 1:46 p.m. EDT.  

As the countdown for departure begins, the crew is checking off their to-do list to finalize preparations for space flight and wrapping up any projects they revisited during the past few days. While soaking in the spectacular views of our home planet from the cupola, the crew took photos that will be compared to other images located in a database of astronaut handheld photography and researchers from Western University located London, Ontario, Canada. By comparing the collection of images, researchers will be able to analyze the impact of human and natural pressures on our terrestrial ecosystem. 

After their last sleep on the space station, the astronauts will pack their personal belongings stowed away in the crew quarters. These phone booth-sized cabins serve as “bedrooms” for the crew and a personal spot where they have been able to connect with loved ones back at home.  

During the few hours leading up to their embarkation, the Ax-1 crew will bid a final farewell to their friends and ISS crewmates, undergo suit checks, and begin final preparations for vehicle ingress. Once the hatch closes – targeted for 4:30 p.m. EDT – and all the checks are completed, the crew will undock from the space station and begin their journey home.  

--> Find more information on how to watch the Ax-1 crew’s return home 

Ax-1 Mission Science Fully Integrated with the ISS, Sets Stage for Axiom Station

During their almost two weeks in orbit, which include a schedule jam-packed with new research on the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts of the Ax-1 crew are helping answer an important question: Can an all-private science mission successfully integrate into the ISS research flow and generate meaningful data?

Ax-1 Pilot Larry Connor collects samples for aging and heart health research on board the International Space Station.

“The answer is a resounding yes, and it’s a critical demonstration in our preparation for Axiom Station, the first commercial space station,” says Christian Maender, Axiom Space director of In-space Manufacturing and Research. “We learned a great deal leading up to the Ax-1 mission – about how to integrate our customers’ research missions with NASA as a commercial company and how to train private astronauts to carry out the research on the ISS. In-orbit, the Ax-1 crew is validating all that preparation with great success.”

With assistance from ground teams, including at Axiom Space Mission Control in Houston, science teams and principal investigators for the research were directly engaged and followed along with the Ax-1 astronauts as they completed the investigations. This “over-the-shoulder” support allowed them to guide the crew with the Axiom Space ground team as a liaison. On future missions, including those to Axiom Station, the goal is to reduce the intermediary role. 

“Our plan for the future is principal investigators will collaborate remotely from their own institutions if they don’t wish to be on-site at Axiom Space, providing even more options for direct engagement between the science teams on the ground and the crew in space,” Maender says. “NASA and the International Space Station Program have already demonstrated direct interaction between scientists on the ground and crews in-orbit on the ISS.  We hope to make that model an operational routine on Axiom Station.” 

A great example of complex preparation translating into operational success was the Modeling Tumor Organoids project. Axiom worked with several commercial partners and in-house staff to certify new flight hardware used to launch, host, and image live stem cells to study pre-cancer and cancerous changes induced by spaceflight. High-quality images of cells fluorescing under special lighting conditions were captured with a new microscope on the ISS being operated remotely from the ground.  Guidance on what to image was provided by project scientists sitting next to the operators and from a remote location at University of California San Diego.   

Similar experiments require the return of live cells from the ISS at the end of the Ax-1 mission along with a significant amount of additional frozen samples that have been in cold storage on the ISS since before the Ax-1 mission.  Ax-1 is augmenting the existing cargo return capabilities of the ISS Program. Once the crew splashes down off the coast of Florida in the Dragon spacecraft, the Axiom Space ground team will move quickly to receive the astronauts and the science, so they can get it into the hands of researchers to continue their important work.  

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 14

Ax-1 Pilot Larry Connor takes Earth Observation photos from on board the ISS. Image credit: Michael López-Alegría

The Ax-1 crew’s visit to the International Space Station (ISS) has been extended due to unfavorable weather, this brings their total time currently spent in space to 14 days. They are readying for their departure to head home to Earth after a new date for return has been set for this weekend by the integrated teams at Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. 

The Ax-1 astronauts are now scheduled to undock from the ISS at 6:35 p.m. EDT Saturday, April 23 and will splashdown off the coast of Florida about 1:46 p.m. Sunday, April 24. The decision was made based on the best weather for splashdown and return trajectory required to bring the crew and the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft back to Earth safely. 

Find more information on live coverage for the Ax-1 crew’s return 

As the crew awaits to depart, they continue to carefully pack up cargo and payloads and prepare the Dragon spacecraft for the flight home. The crew is helping store cargo and tending to any other housekeeping tasks to ensure the orbiting laboratory is in order upon Crew-4's arrival.  

In addition, the astronauts are doing refresher training for undocking and splashdown operations.  

Axiom, NASA, and SpaceX teams continue to monitor weather at the splashdown sites prior to undocking to ensure conditions are acceptable for a safe recovery of the Ax-1 astronauts and Dragon spacecraft.  

The return of the Ax-1 crew will mark the completion of the first-ever fully private mission to the ISS and signal the beginning of a new era in human spaceflight, further expanding opportunities for individuals, nations and researchers to access and utilize the countless opportunities microgravityl has to offer. 

Veteran Astronaut Rex Walheim shares his thoughts on this new era of spaceflight

“This is it; we are really going to space today. It’s really an amazing feeling,” is what Rex Walheim thought moments before he launched to space. The Ax-1 crew can relate to these feelings when they felt the rumble and jolt of the rocket during liftoff, that was when reality hit. This is it. 

As a former NASA astronaut and veteran of three spaceflights, Rex Walheim is Axiom’s Director of Safety & Mission Assurance. He logged more than 36 hours on five spacewalks, spent more than 36 days in space, and was on the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.

Walheim joined Bettina Inclán, communications director of Axiom Space, to share his insight as a former astronaut and how it compares to being on the other side of human spaceflight – from the ground. Walheim discussed the importance of applying lessons learned from the past during this new era of space travel, significance of short-duration missions, and benefits of expanding access to space to individuals around the world.

Schedule set for Ax-1 Return to Earth, Undocking from ISS

The Ax-1 crew inside the SpaceX Dragon. Photo courtesy of SpaceX.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The teams at Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX have decided to postponed undocking of the Ax-1 mission until Sunday, April 24 due to high winds at the splashdown site. New dates posted below. (April 23, 2022)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This document has been updated and new times have been included for hatch closure and undocking. (April 21, 2022)

UPDATED: Houston, 23 April 2022 - After two weeks in space, a date has been set for the Ax-1 crew to conclude their historic mission on the International Space Station and return home to Earth.

The integrated teams at Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX have agreed on a plan for the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) crew to undock from the International Space Station at 8:55 p.m. ET Sunday, April 24, for a splashdown off the coast of Florida about 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 25. The decision was made based on the best weather for splashdown of the first private astronaut mission to visit the International Space Station and the return trajectory required to bring the crew and the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft back to Earth safely.

Coverage of the Ax-1 return will include three separate segments over two days - hatch closure, undocking and splashdown. All segments will be available at AxiomSpace.com

Live coverage of departure activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with hatch closure targeted for 6:45 p.m. Coverage will resume at 8:30 p.m. for the undocking. On Monday, coverage will pickup again for Dragon’s re-entry and splashdown beginning at 12:00 p.m.

Teams will continue to monitor weather at the splashdown sites prior to undocking to ensure conditions are acceptable for a safe recovery of the Ax-1 astronauts and Dragon spacecraft.

NASA and Axiom mission planning prepared for the possibility of additional time on station for the private astronauts, and there are sufficient provisions for all 11 crew members aboard the space station. The Ax-1 crew continues to work through previously planned mission activities. The Ax-1 crew and Dragon spacecraft remain healthy.

Ax-1 is the first of several proposed Axiom missions to the International Space Station and an important step toward Axiom Station, the world’s first private space station, which will serve as a hub in low-Earth orbit for research and exploration. 

Ax-1 Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy will complete 16 days in space at the conclusion of their mission. SpaceX Dragon Endeavour, the Ax-1 spacecraft, will return to Earth with more than 200 pounds of science and supplies, including NASA experiments, hardware and commercial science payloads.

All live coverage will be available at AxiomSpace.com. The full schedule includes:

HATCH CLOSURE
6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 24
Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m., with hatch closure targeted for 6:45 p.m. Coverage will conclude shortly after hatch closure and will be available on AxiomSpace.com and NASA.gov/live.

UNDOCKING
8:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 24
Coverage of the undocking of the Dragon Endeavour with the AX-1 crew begins at 8:30 p.m. Undocking will occur at approximately 8:55 p.m. The webcast will conclude on Sunday around 9:15 p.m. after Dragon fully departs the protected area around the ISS. The webcast will be available on AxiomSpace.com, NASA.gov/live and SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

SPLASHDOWN
12:00 p.m. ET, Monday, April 25
Coverage will begin at 12:00 p.m. with splashdown targeted for 1:00 p.m. The webcast will continue through the recovery of the Dragon and the Axiom astronauts. Coverage will conclude at around 2:15 p.m., once the crew is safely out of the spacecraft. Watch events live on AxiomSpace.com and SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

POST-SPLASHDOWN TELECONFERENCE
3:30 p.m. ET, Monday, April 25
Following splashdown, Axiom Space and SpaceX leadership will provide remarks and take questions from reporters via teleconference. Participants include:

• Derek Hassmann, Operations Director, Axiom Space

• Benjamin Reed, Senior Director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX

To participate in the briefing media must request call-in details no later than 8 a.m. Monday, April 25, by emailing media@axiomspace.com. This is a teleconference-only event (not in-person) with audio-only.

This information will be updated as times are confirmed for events related to mission operations. Follow along for mission updates with #Ax1 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, as well as our website.

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 13

Ax-1 Pilot Larry Connor demonstrates microgravity during an outreach event.

The Ax-1 crew’s short-duration mission to the International Space Station has been extended a few more days due to unfavorable weather conditions for undocking and landing. The Axiom astronauts have learned to operate on a packed schedule full of scientific research, technology demonstrations and outreach events with little downtime in between. Now as they await departure, the crew is still working, but taking a bit more time to absorb the remarkable views of the blue planet and  review the vast amount of work that was successfully completed during the mission.  

The crew has been capturing content to add to a portfolio of assets that will be later used on the ground for Earth observation research and public engagement and outreach. Commander López-Alegría used his extra time in space to revisit science experiments and technology demonstrations, including testing hardware and software for edge computing that could simplify operations of future spacecraft. 

Commander López-Alegría, Larry Connor, and Eytan Stibbe signed the neurowellness helmet, which was brought with the crew on the space station to demonstrate the technological feasibility of cognitive performance and brain activity monitoring. The data collected from this study will help inform us on how space causes neurological changes in the brain.  

Summing up the previous days working on the orbiting laboratory, the crew conducted dozens of experiments in support of over 25 science payloads and technology demonstrations curated with leading academic and research partners around the globe. The astronauts also conducted investigations with Axiom research partners including self-assembling technology for future space habitats, cancer research, and air purification systems on space stations. An array of data was collected in-flight to impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and in-orbit as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and humankind on Earth. 

Ax-1 is the first of several proposed Axiom missions to the ISS, providing valuable insight as Axiom Space works toward Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) and building the world’s first commercial space station, Axiom Station. 

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 12, Undocking delayed

The Ax-1 crew has officially spent almost two weeks in space focusing on scientific discovery and sharing their insight with a new generation of space explorers by participating in STEAM-related activities. 

As their time at the space station grows shorter, the crew completed the necessary repacking of the Dragon, reacquainted themselves with undocking operations, and made the final preparations for spaceflight. 

Due to unfavorable weather conditions for return, tonight’s undocking has been waved off and the crew will be spending a few more days on the space station. The integrated Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX teams are assessing the next best opportunity for the return of Ax-1 astronauts to ensure they get home safely. 

Early this morning, the Ax-1 and Expedition 67 crews participated in a farewell ceremony. They reflected on their time and experience at the space station and extended their gratitude to their crewmates aboard the ISS.  

“It's been an amazing experience. A few adjectives may be unique certainly, magnificent, and to some degree humbling, but I think more than anything very, very rewarding,” Commander MLA said during the ceremony. 

--> Watch the ceremony here. 

The astronauts will soon begin their journey back to Earth in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and return with a cumulation of important insight that will benefit human research in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and the Ramon Foundation. This mission lays the foundation for Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) and more importantly Axiom Station -- the world’s first space station.  

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 11

Ax-1 Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe performing FLUTE research.

The Ax-1 private astronaut crew has finished most of the research and life-changing science and technology demonstrations central to their time on the International Space Station. As the clock counts down until the crew’s departure, they are spending their final moments on the orbiting lab packing up and preparing for undocking. 

During the Ax-1 mission, the crew has pioneered a new path in space to allow more opportunities for individuals, nations, and researchers around world to work in microgravity. 

The experiments and research conducted at the International Space Station include self-assembling technology for satellites and future space habitats, cancer stem cell study, air purification, and testing edge computing, made possible by Axiom’s full-service integration into the NASA process for science and technology activities. Data collected in-flight will impactunderstanding of human physiology on Earth and in orbit as well as establishingthe utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and people on Earth. These achievements made in space directly improve life on Earth, and simultaneously support efforts to help the most vulnerable on the planet.

Weather permitting, the crew is targeted to undock from the ISS around 10:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 19and will begin their journey back to Earth in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The crew is anticipated to splash down off the coast of Florida no earlier than approximately 3:24 p.m. ET Wednesday, April 20.

Coverage of the Ax-1 return will include four separate segments over two days - farewell ceremony, hatch closure, undocking, and splashdown. All segments will be available at AxiomSpace.com

Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX adjust Ax-1 Crew Undocking Date

EDITOR’S NOTE: Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX have announced Ax-1 will undock from the space station on Saturday, 4/23 at 8:35 pm ET. The teams are targeting splashdown for Sunday, 4/24 at 1:46 p.m. ET. MORE. (April 20, 2022)

EDITOR’S NOTE: As communicated via Twitter, Axiom Space is delaying the undocking of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1). TWEET: Due to unfavorable weather conditions, we are waving off tonight's undocking of the #Ax1 mission from Space Station. The integrated Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX teams are assessing the next best opportunity for the return of Ax-1, the first all-private mission to the ISS. (April 18, 2022)

Mission Control has informed the Expedition 67 and Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) crews aboard the International Space Station that because of unfavorable weather at the splashdown location for recovery of the Dragon Endeavour and the Ax-1 crew, the integrated operations team at NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX has postponed the spacecraft’s planned departure from the orbiting laboratory.

Weather permitting, the four-member private astronaut crew now is targeted to undock at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, to begin the journey home with splashdown off the coast of Florida no earlier than approximately 3:24 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 20.

Axiom Space coverage of the farewell ceremony will remain as previously scheduled, and the updated Ax-1 return coverage is as follows (all times Eastern):

Tuesday, April 19

 7 a.m.– Coverage begins for farewell ceremony

7:45 p.m.– Coverage begins 15 minutes ahead of hatch closure, scheduled for approximately 8 p.m.

9:45 p.m.– Coverage begins 15 minutes ahead of undocking, scheduled for approximately 10 p.m.

Wednesday, April 20

2:20 p.m. - Coverage begins about an hour ahead of splashdown, scheduled for approximately 3:24 pm EDT

Coverage of all these events will be available at AxiomSpace.com.

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 10

Ax-1 Mission Specialist Mark Pathy waves to the camera during an outreach event aboard the ISS.

Ten days down and two more to go until the conclusion of Axiom Mission One (Ax-1), the historic all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.  

After arriving at the ISS with more than 25 experiments to complete, the Ax-1 crew is wrapping up the remaining science activities and are packing and preparing cargo transfers for return to Earth. They will bring back with them important data that will benefit future human spaceflight pursuits and humankind on Earth. 

As the ISS moves over storms on Earth, Commander Michael López-Alegría and Eytan Stibbe performed additional sessions of the ILAN-ES project by photographing lightning bolts in the atmosphere from above. Researchers and students have been simultaneously photographing the same lightning strikes from ground stations in specific locations across the world. This citizen science project aims to better understand the structure and behavior of lightning while enabling hands-on scientific engagement and international collaboration. 

López-Alegría, Stibbe, and Larry Connor completed the final session of the neurowellness research by monitoring brain activity with a high-density EEG system. During the mission, the crewmembers have been utilizing a novel dry sensor EEG device to take two recordings per day of up to 10 minutes. This study demonstrated an innovative EEG system for cognitive assessment and training for long-term space mission research. 

Stibbe gathered images for the Nano ISS Antennae study, which will validate flexible communication antennae folding and deployment under microgravity conditions. Developed by NSLComm, this technology is a unique deployable reflector antenna to enhance high bandwidth communications. 

In addition, Mark Pathy completed the BioMonitor study. The conclusive results of this activity will help investigate new analysis techniques to detect negative effects on the interaction of the heart, lungs, and circulation through real-time monitoring. 

The crew is continuing to complete daily questionnaires related to sleep, pain, and understanding "home-life." This collection of personal data will help unravel the mysteries surrounding chronic pain and sleep disturbances during space travel.  

When the Axiom astronauts depart from the orbiting lab, they will return to Earth with critical insight after dedicating their time conducting human tended research and life-changing science and technology demonstrations in partnership with leading global organizations, including the Mayo Clinic, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and the Ramon Foundation. The results of these experiments will be used to provide important information about health and medicine on Earth and advance technologies to enable safer future space travel. 

As they officially become the first fully private astronaut mission to the ISS, the crew’s combined efforts will have opened the door for a new era of space travel.  

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 9

The four-person, multinational Ax-1 crew has barely had any down time since they arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) over a week ago. The crew has dedicated about 14 hours each day aboard the ISS to further human knowledge on how space impacts health, the functionality of next generation technologies in microgravity, and the preparations needed to meet the demands of long-distance and long-duration space travel. Through the Ax-1 mission, the private astronauts have expanded the volume and type of research conducted on the space station, making the ISS more accessible to a broader range of individuals and organizations. 

As the crew nears the end of their short-duration mission, their final days have been focused on finishing their extensive list of science- and technology-related activities. The private astronauts will soon return to Earth with critical data and insight from an array of studies that will bolster the potential for new sectors to work in microgravity and advance the low-Earth orbit economy.  

Today the crew continued gathering personal data for stress monitoring research by wearing sensors, completing a self-reporting questionnaire, and utilizing a functional testing mobile application. This project is important for understanding stress levels among crewmembers throughout their space journey.

As part of a multi-year research program exploring self-assembly methods for in-space construction, Ax-1 Commander Michael López-Alegría successfully completed all operations for TESSERAE. Named after the small tiles in ancient Roman mosaics, the modular TESSERAE tiles can join to create a larger structure. The prototypes used on the Ax-1 mission include an extensive suite of sensing and electro-permanent magnets that monitor diagnostics and provide insight into the quality of bonds between tiles. The scaled demonstration builds on previous microgravity evaluations of the TESSERAE investigation to explore a new frontier for in-orbit construction of satellites and future space habitats.

---> Watch yesterday’s update featuring Dr. Ekblaw as she talks about the TESSERAE experiment.

Adding to the list of successfully completed projects, Larry Connor wrapped up the final operations for the aging and heart health study. In coordination with the Mayo Clinic, his work will contribute to the understanding of cellular senescence and its causes, potentially leading to clinical trials for diseases related to cellular aging, including cancer. 

Eytan Stibbe proceeded to collect daily images for the Nano ISS Antenna, which is a unique deployable reflector antenna for high-bandwidth communications. Two more image collections will be conducted to finish this test.  

Stibbe completed work for the AstroRad Vest investigation. The vest was created to protect astronauts from radiation in space as they travel beyond low-Earth orbit. This vest will help mitigate the effects of solar particle events by utilizing selective shielding to maximize efficiency and minimize impacts to ergonomics. 

In addition, Stibbe performed additional sessions of the ILAN-ES project to study electrical phenomena above thunderstorms, known as Transient Luminous Events (TLE). Observing these events from space will be compared with imagery taken of the same events from the ground to enhance understanding of what is happening between the upper and lower atmosphere. 

Mark Pathy continued his work on the Earth Observation study by gathering images from the Cupola. By using the collection of images taken and comparing images in the database of astronaut handheld photography, researchers from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada plan to analyze and present a pictorial review of the impact of human and natural pressures on our terrestrial ecosystem. 

Each day the crew is making considerable progress in completing the more than 25 experiments brought aboard with them on the ISS. Their efforts and hard work on the collection of studies will ultimately impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and in-orbit, as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and the design for our future homes away from Earth, beginning with Axiom Station. 

Ax-1 Crew Update: Flight Day 8

Time is flying by as the crew works minute-by-minute conducting experiments and research while continuing their commitment to outreach events engaging with students, the media, and organizations from around the world. The crew remains focused on their remaining days on the International Space Station (ISS). They continue to see progress made in real-time as they complete the numerous experiments brought aboard with them on the ISS.

Today the astronauts continued to gather data and complete daily sessions for ongoing projects to enhance human research, physical sciences, cardioprotection, and high bandwidth communications. These efforts will expand the breakthrough potential of work in microgravity to new sectors to lay the groundwork for a full realization of possibilities within low-Earth orbit. All crewmembers collected personal information and data for stress monitoring research by wearing a combination of sensors that detect central nervous system functions. Through sensors, a self-report questionnaire, and a functional testing mobile application allow for accurate monitoring of stress levels among crewmembers throughout their journey in space.

As part of a multi-year research program exploring self-assembly methods for in-space construction, Ax-1 Commander Michael López-Alegría completed the setup for the TESSERAE tiles. The tiles pack flat for launch, and once activated, they form a robotic swarm of autonomous and self-assembling units that will be tested in a series of configurations during the mission. Eytan Stibbe completed the CRISPR experiment's second and final round of activities. The recently developed CRISPR-based technology for gene identification and editing allows for simple and reliable detection of DNA sequences that support the identification of pathogens and contaminants. This technology was being tested in space for the first time.

Stibbe also completed familiarization and range of motion activities while wearing the AstroRad Vest. The vest is radiation personal protective equipment (PPE) for astronauts that utilizes selective shielding to maximize effectivity and minimize impacts on ergonomics. The AstroRad Vest was co-developed by StemRad and Lockheed Martin, with the primary goal of mitigating solar particle events (SPE). During the Ax-1 mission, a comprehensive examination will be conducted with the crew to assess ergonomic data.

Mark Pathy completed the Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) session of the Ocular Rigidity Investigation (SANSORI) project. This experiment aims to test a new hypothesis related to the causes of Space Flight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), a known condition of long-duration spaceflight that can cause vision changes in astronauts.

Pathy continued his work of Earth observations from the Cupola. The campaign includes specific observation targets for the scientific study of changing planetary biology and human urbanization. Along with the daily experiments and research, Stibbe had a schedule full of outreach activities. Stibbe answered questions from SpaceTech, a leading strategic and analytics agency focused on space technology industries and shared how there are amazing activities taking place all over Israel inspired by the Rakia Mission on the Ax-1 mission, which combines a variety of experiments in many areas that will advance the Israeli space industry and even influence applications here on Earth. He also reflected on how the mission changed his view of life when it comes to unity, peace, and making the world a better place for his grandchildren.

Stibbe also conducted a climate change lesson where he explained the water purification system on the ISS, how oxygen levels are maintained, and how energy is generated. Through a citizenship lesson, he shed light on how each area on the space station is governed by the country it is associated with, yet the rules and boundaries are blurred by the desire to explore and help humanity – space is the key to world peace.
Stibbe's busy day of outreach continued with a microgravity challenge put forward by students who suggested different tasks to try in space. He sent a message in sign language and conducted work to show how physical limitations on Earth should not hinder your abilities in space, proving that space is a place for everyone. Lastly, he sent an important message by calling on the children of Israel to place friendship as a supreme value.

Larry Connor did a live Q&A with Dayton Daily News and talked about his duties during launch and the flight to the ISS as pilot of Ax-1. Through the Ax-1 mission, Connor explained his desire to help pioneer space exploration that results in real and sustainable scientific research and technology advancements that ultimately benefit all people.

In addition, Connor connected with Brady Kress, the Dayton History Museum President, and CEO. He compared the difference between being almost four miles under the ocean to 250 miles above the Earth and what it is like orbiting the Earth over 17,000 mph. Connor shared how it is an honor to connect Dayton's rich aviation history with the next frontier in space with the symbolic piece of fabric that originally covered the Wright Brothers' 1903 Kitty Hawk Flyer.

Through the Ax-1 mission, the crew is paving the way for more affordable and accessible space exploration long-term. The lessons learned during this mission are essential to Axiom Space's effort to build the world's first commercial space station.