Axiom Mission 2

Axiom Mission 2 (or Ax-2) is a planned private crew mission to the International Space Station (ISS), operated by Axiom Space. In December 2021, NASA confirmed that the mission would fly on a Crew Dragon.[2][3] In May, NASA announced that the mission would launch on 21 May 2023.[4] It is the second Axiom mission, after Axiom Mission 1 in April 2022.

Axiom Mission 2
Artists' impression of a Crew Dragon approaching the forward port of Harmony on the ISS
NamesAx-2
Mission typePrivate Crew
OperatorAxiom Space
Websitewww.axiomspace.com
Mission duration16 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeCrew Dragon Freedom
ManufacturerSpaceX
Crew
Crew size4
Members
Start of mission
Launch date21 May 2023, 21:37 UTC (planned)[1]
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5 B1080.1
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
End of mission
Landing siteAtlantic Ocean
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.66°
Docking with ISS
Docking portHarmony Zenith
Time docked10 days (planned) [2]

Axiom Mission 2 patch
 

Crew

The crew will include former NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson as mission commander and John Shoffner as pilot.[5][6]

In September 2022 it was reported that Saudi Arabia's Saudi Space Commission bought the remaining two seats for the mission,[7] including one for a female astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi.[8]

On January 11, 2022, Axiom announced Italian Air Force (ItAF) Colonel Walter Villadei as the company’s first international professional astronaut.[9] He is currently in training in Houston. Col. Villadei has been selected by Axiom as a backup on the Ax-2 mission.[10]

Prime crew
Position Astronaut
Spacecraft commander United States Peggy Whitson, Axiom Space
Fourth spaceflight
Pilot United States John Shoffner, Commercial astronaut
First spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1 Saudi Arabia Ali AlQarni, SSC
First spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2 Saudi Arabia Rayyanah Barnawi, SSC
First spaceflight

Backup crew
Position Astronaut
Spacecraft commander United States / Spain Michael López-Alegría, Axiom Space
Pilot Italy Walter Villadei, Italian Air Force
Mission Specialist 1 Saudi Arabia Ali AlGhamdi, SSC
Mission Specialist 2 Saudi Arabia Mariam Fardous, SSC

References
  1. Baylor, Michael. "Falcon 9 Block 5 - Axiom Mission 2 (AX-2)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  2. "NASA Selects Second Private Astronaut Mission to Space Station". NASA. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. "Axiom Space signs blockbuster deal with SpaceX through 2023 to fly three additional Axiom private crew missions to ISS" (PDF). Axiom Space. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  4. @NASASpaceOps (5 May 2023). "Launch Update: @NASA, @Axiom_Space, & @SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 5:37 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 21, for launch of Axiom Mission 2 to the @Space_Station. (1/2)" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 May 2023 – via Twitter.
  5. Harwood, William (25 May 2021). "Whitson to command planned commercial flight to space station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  6. "Record-holding astronaut Peggy Whitson and mission pilot John Shoffner to lead Axiom Space's Ax-2 mission to enable new research in space". Axiom Space. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  7. Roulette, Joey (21 September 2022). "Exclusive: Saudi Arabia buys pair of SpaceX astronaut seats from Axiom -sources". Reuters.
  8. "Saudi Arabia plans to send female astronaut to space in 2023". AP NEWS. 22 September 2022.
  9. "Axiom Space to train Italian Air Force's Col. Walter Villadei as professional astronaut for future space mission". Axiom Space. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  10. "Axiom Space and Italian Government Sign Historic MOU to Expand Commercial Utilization of Space". Axiom Space. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
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