Ax-1 Clears NASA’s Launch Readiness Review, Prepares for Liftoff

Mission managers with NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have completed the Launch Readiness Review for Axiom’s Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station. The no-earlier-than launch date is targeted for 11:17 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 8, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A prelaunch news conference followed the Launch Readiness Review. Catch the replay below:
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Participants included:

• Derek Hassmann, Operations Director, Axiom Space
• Dana Weigel, International Space Station Deputy Program Manager, NASA
• Angela Hart, Commercial LEO Program Manager, NASA
• Benjamin Reed, Senior Director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX
• Brian Cizek, Launch Weather Officer, 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force

The 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. The crew will travel in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and launch on a Falcon 9 rocket.

Weather reports are favorable for launch day at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, though conditions along the ascent corridor continue to be monitored.

Follow along for mission updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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