SpaceX axiom Space Ax-2 private space mission will be launched on May 22, sending four people to the International Space Station for eight days.
CTOnews.com NASA, SpaceX and Axiom Space conducted a Flight Readiness Review (FRR) today (May 15, U.S. time) for the Ax-2 mission, scheduled to launch at 5:37 p.m. Beijing time on May 22, using Falcon 9 rockets to launch four private astronauts to the International Space Station.
The mission will dock with the International Space Station for eight days, team members said today. This is slightly different from previous plans that required a 10-day stay on the International Space Station.
It is worth mentioning that scientists will grow stem cells in space through Ax-2 to test how microgravity affects the development of heart cells and brain cells, which is the first time in the world.
If the Ax-2 fails to take off on time, it has one more launch opportunity a day later. Of course, if you miss these two opportunities to take off, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while longer to reach space. After this mission, NASA and SpaceX will immediately prepare for CRS-28, SpaceX's 28th delivery mission to the International Space Station, scheduled to take off from KSC on June 3.
Ax-2 will be Axiom Space's second private flight operated by SpaceX. CTOnews.com previously reported that the company executed Ax-1 in April 2022, using Falcon 9 to send four people into space and work on the International Space Station for more than two weeks.
The Ax-2 was also a pioneer. Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni, the mission's two crewmembers, will be the first Saudis to reach the International Space Station, while Barnawi will be the first Saudi woman to go into space.
Axiom Space is also developing its own space station module, which will be launched to the International Space Station in the next few years. Eventually, these space station modules will separate from the International Space Station and form the company's own private space station in low Earth orbit.
