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WATCH: NASA, SpaceX Successfully Launch Axiom Space Mission-2 from KSC, Docking With ISS Harmony Module Set Monday Morning

By  //  May 22, 2023

Dragon will autonomously dock to Harmony module around 9:16 a.m. Monday, hatch opening at 11:13 a.m.

ABOVE VIDEO: SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Sunday, May 21 for Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Monday, May 22 at 5:14 p.m. ET (21:14 UTC).

ABOVE VIDEO: On Sunday, May 21 at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), Falcon 9 launched Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Liftoff of the Axiom Mission 2, the second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. EDT Sunday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting outpost aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. (SpaceX image)

(NASA) – Four private astronauts are in orbit following the successful launch of Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Axiom Space astronauts lifted off at 5:37 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the company’s Dragon spacecraft carrying Ax-2 crew members Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi into orbit on a mission to conduct scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities on the space station.

“Congratulations to Axiom, SpaceX, and the Axiom Mission 2 crew on a successful launch! During their time aboard the International Space Station, the Ax-2 astronauts will carry out more than 20 scientific experiments, helping us better understand space radiation, weather in low-gravity conditions, and more,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“This mission is more proof of NASA’s commitment to help our industry partners develop the next generation of space technology and a support a growing commercial space economy.”

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. Monday, May 22, NASA will provide live coverage of SpaceX Dragon docking, hatch opening, and a ceremony to welcome the crew on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

The SpaceX Dragon will autonomously dock to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module around 9:16 a.m. Monday with hatch opening about 11:13 a.m. Live mission coverage will conclude following the welcome ceremony expected to start about 11:45 a.m. The mission also will be covered by Axiom Space on its website.

Once aboard the station, the Ax-2 crew will be welcomed by Expedition 69 crew members, including NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, Stephen Bowen, and Woody Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Dmitri Petelin, Sergey Prokopyev and Andrey Fedyaev.

Axiom Space astronauts are expected to depart the space station May 30, pending weather, for a return to Earth and splashdown at a landing site off the coast of Florida.

On Sunday, May 21 at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), Falcon 9 launched Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (SpaceX Image)
On Sunday, May 21 at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), Falcon 9 launched Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (SpaceX Image)
On Sunday, May 21 at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), Falcon 9 launched Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (SpaceX Image)

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct over 20 science and technology experiments in areas such as human physiology, physical sciences, and STEAM to help expand knowledge to benefit life on Earth in areas such as healthcare, materials, technology development, and enable industrial advances.

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Crew-4 to and from the space station. (NASA image)

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Crew-4 to and from the space station.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct over 20 science and technology experiments in areas such as human physiology, physical sciences, and STEAM to help expand knowledge to benefit life on Earth in areas such as healthcare, materials, technology development, and enable industrial advances.

Space Coast Daily will broadcast the Ax-2 launch on Space Coast Daily Television, with coverage beginning at about 5 p.m. The broadcast will end after orbital insertion approximately 15 minutes after launch.

Monday, May 22 Coverage:

■ 7:30 a.m. – NASA docking coverage begins and airs through the conclusion of the welcome ceremony

■ 9:24 a.m. – Docking

■ 11:13 a.m. – Hatch Opening

■ 11:45 a.m. – Crew Welcome Ceremony

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