spacetoday.net: SpaceX launches third Axiom Space mission to ISS

Posted: Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 11:29 AM ET (1629 GMT)
Falcon 9 launch of Ax-3 mission (SpaceX)

Axiom Space's third private astronaut mission is on its way to the International Space Station after a launch Thursday. A Falcon 9 lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 4:49 pm EST (2149 GMT) and placed a Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The launch was delayed a day to provide more time to confirm adjustments to parachute straps. The Crew Dragon docked with the ISS on Saturday. The two-week Ax-3 mission is carrying astronauts from Italy, Sweden and Turkey, commanded by a former NASA astronaut. Axiom plans to fly such missions to the station, with NASA's approval, twice a year as it works on its first commercial module to install on the station in late 2026.