On January 18, 2024, four private astronauts blasted off from Florida to visit the International Space Station. They are part of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), the third private spaceflight organized by Axiom Space and SpaceX.
The Ax-3 crew consists of Michael López-Alegría, a former NASA astronaut and the commander of the mission Walter Villadei, an Italian pilot and entrepreneur Alper Gezeravcı, a Turkish engineer and philanthropist and Marcus Wandt, a Swedish scientist and ESA project astronaut.
They will spend two weeks in space, doing various activities and experiments. Some of the things they will do include testing new technologies, talking to students around the world, and studying how microgravity affects the human body and different materials.
They will also enjoy the stunning views of Earth and the stars from the space station’s windows.
The Ax-3 mission is a historic achievement for private space exploration, as it shows that ordinary people can also experience the wonders of space.
Axiom Space and SpaceX plan to launch more private astronaut missions in the future, opening up new possibilities for science, tourism, and education.
