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The Axiom Mission 3 crew aboard the International Space Station, pictured left to right: Marcus Wandt, Michael López-Alegría, Alper Gjervasi, and Walter Viladei. Credit: Axiom Space
The third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station successfully completed its journey as part of NASA’s efforts to create business opportunities in space. Axiom Mission 3 (X-3) and its four crew members returned safely to Earth on Friday after splashing down off the coast of Daytona, Florida.
Axiom Space astronauts Michael López-Alegría, Walter Villadei, Marcus Wandt and Alper Gezeravci returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 8:30 a.m. EST, completing its nearly 22-day mission that included 18 days aboard the space station. Teams aboard SpaceX recovery vessels recovered the spacecraft and astronauts.
“Low Earth orbit is now within humanity’s sphere of economic influence. “This presents the best opportunities for the United States. commercial space sector to capture new domestic and international markets and provide critical capabilities for the nation’s space goals,” said Phil McAllister, director of NASA’s Commercial Space Division at NASA Headquarters. NASA in Washington. “This innovative “Transition Preparation.”
The Ax-3 mission launched at 4:49 p.m. On Jan. 18 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 37 hours later, Dragon docked with the Harmony module’s forward port. The astronauts touched down from the same port at 9:20 am on Wednesday to begin their return journey home.
The crew spent more than two weeks conducting microgravity research, educational and commercial activities. The spacecraft returns to Florida for inspection and processing at SpaceX’s refurbishing facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where teams will examine the spacecraft’s data and performance during flight. Throughout their mission, the astronauts conducted more than 30 scientific experiments and returned science, including NASA cargo, to Earth.
Supporting private astronaut missions is part of NASA’s strategy to create a vibrant commercial economy in orbit where the agency will become one of many customers.
This partnership expands the history of human spaceflight and opens access to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station for more people, science and commercial opportunities.
Find out more about how NASA supports the space economy in low Earth orbit:
