BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The countdown has begun for the launch of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for launch at 5:11 PM January 17th from Florida’s Space Coast. This mission is heralded as the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS.
Meet The Crew
The crew of Ax-3 is led by Commander Michael López-Alegría, a veteran astronaut with dual citizenship in the United States and Spain. He currently serves as Axiom Space’s Chief Astronaut, and commanded Axiom 1, the company’s first private astronaut mission in 2022. López-Alegría, a retired U.S. Navy captain, has a distinguished career with four prior missions to the ISS between 1995-2007 as a NASA astronaut.
Joining him is Pilot Walter Villadei, an Italian Air Force Colonel. Villadei brings to the mission his extensive experience from the Italian Air Force, contributing to the diverse skill set of the team.
The mission also includes two specialists: Alper Gezeravcı from Türkiye and Marcus Wandt from Sweden, representing the European Space Agency (ESA). Gezeravcı, a veteran of the Turkish Air Force, is making history as the first astronaut from his country to fly in space. His participation is a significant milestone for Türkiye as it embarks on new space exploration objectives.
Marcus Wandt, an ESA project astronaut and Swedish Air Force test pilot, was selected for astronaut training in 2022. His participation in Ax-3, as the first ESA-sponsored astronaut on a commercial space flight, is a pivotal moment for the European Space Agency and its involvement in commercial space missions.
The Launch
The Ax-3 mission, launching aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A, represents a collaborative effort between multiple nations. The mission’s duration is set for 14 days, during which the crew will conduct over 30 experiments, focusing on areas ranging from medical research to technological advancements.
The Future
This mission is a key component of Axiom Space’s broader ambitions to establish its commercial space station, Axiom Station. The Houston-based company is developing initial modules under a $140 million NASA contract, with plans to launch these modules in 2026. These modules will initially attach to the ISS but will eventually form part of the independent Axiom Station.
Axiom Space’s vision extends beyond Ax-3, with a fourth private astronaut mission planned later this year. These missions are viewed as foundational steps towards establishing operational processes for sustainable human spaceflight and fostering a thriving commercial low-Earth-orbit economy.
NASA stands firmly behind the increasing involvement of private companies in space exploration, viewing it as a cost-effective way to continue research and development in low Earth orbit while focusing on deep space missions. The Ax-3 mission and similar ventures are expected to pave the way for a new era in space exploration, where commercial entities play a more significant role alongside traditional space agencies.
