Credit: SpaceX
Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX mission managers have completed the Launch Readiness Review (LRR) for Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch of Ax-2 is targeted for no earlier than 5:37 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
A prelaunch media teleconference followed the LRR. Listen to the recording, here.
Participants included:
Derek Hassmann, chief of mission integration and operations, Axiom Space
Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA
Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX
Mishaal Ashemimry, microgravity research lead, Saudi Space Commission
Brian Cizek, 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force
Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, will lead the privately funded mission, and aviator John Shoffner of Knoxville, Tennessee, will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists, Ali AlQarni and Rayyanah Barnawi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are members of the inaugural Saudi national astronaut program.
Weather reports are favorable for launch day at Kennedy Space Center, with conditions along the ascent corridor being monitored.
Launch coverage of the Ax-2 mission will begin at 2:10 pm ET on May 21, and will follow the astronaut’s journey towards the ISS. You can watch the live webcast here.
Follow along for mission updates with #Ax2 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.