Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA have updated the live mission coverage schedule for Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), the company’s third commercial astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
The Ax-3 crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 18 at 4:49 p.m. ET. The crew will dock to the space station at approximately 5:45 a.m. ET on Jan. 20. Once docked, the Ax-3 astronauts plan to spend their time aboard the orbiting laboratory for up to 14 days implementing a full mission comprised of microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach events.
Ax-3 will be the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS— redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and helping chart a course toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The Ax-3 crewmembers are Commander Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and the European Space Agency.
Coverage of the Ax-3 launch will be available as follows (all times Eastern):
Launch Webcast Begins
Thursday, Jan. 18 at 2:40 p.m. ET
The joint webcast will follow the journey of the four-person, all-European Ax-3 crew as they prepare to liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s KSC in Florida at 4:49 p.m. ET. The webcast will continue until roughly 20 minutes after launch with stunning views of the spacecraft traveling to the ISS. Watch live at axiomspace.com, spacex.com/launches, x.com/@SpaceX, or on NASA+.
Dragon In-Flight Event
TBD (will confirm no later than 15 minutes prior to the event start time)
Pending crew schedule and ground station coverage, the Ax-3 crew will participate in an in-flight event from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Watch live at axiomspace.com or x.com/@SpaceX.
Docking Coverage
Saturday, Jan. 20
4:00 a.m. ET (approximately) – Webcast begins
5:45 a.m. ET (approximately) – Docking
6:45 a.m. ET (approximately) – Hatch opening
7:35 a.m. ET (approximately) – Crew welcome ceremony
The Ax-3 live webcast will begin approximately two hours in advance of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docking with the ISS. Watch the crew arrive at the ISS live at axiomspace.com, spacex.com/launches, x.com/@SpaceX, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. The Ax-3 webcast will cover events as the crew docks to the ISS and is greeted by NASA’s Expedition Crew for the welcome ceremony. This will begin their up to 14-day mission on the orbiting laboratory conducting microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach engagements.
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This advisory will be updated online as more information becomes available.
Follow along for mission updates with #Ax3 on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, and on our website.
Updated on Jan. 20, 2024
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