Axiom Space Astronauts Headed to the International Space Station

Four civilian astronauts are in orbit after the successful launch of Axiom Mission 1, the first all-civilian astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Astronauts from Axiom Space took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center launch complex 39A in Florida at 11:17 EST on Friday, April 8.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Dragon Endeavour spacecraft into orbit with Ax1 crew members Michael López Alegría, Larry Connor, Mark Pathy, and Eytan Stibbe. The crew will spend more than a week conducting scientific research, outreach and commercial activities on the space station. 

Starting Saturday, April 9th, at 5:30 am, NASA will provide live coverage of Endeavour docking, the opening of the hatch, and the welcome ceremony for the crew. The events will be broadcast on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the website of the agency. The whole mission will also be covered on the website of Axiom. 

Axiom Space astronauts are expected to spend about 10 days in orbit before returning to Earth and landing at one of the seven landing sites off the Florida coast. NASA and Axiom will release separate notifications to preview the Ax1 farewell event and return coverage.