2024-01-17 18:19:06
Published on: 01/17/2024 – 7:19 p.m.
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SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch at 4:49 p.m. local time (9:49 p.m. GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center, the company announced. Liftoff was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed by a day to complete checks, SpaceX said.
The mission, named Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), is the third of its kind. Like the previous one, which notably took Saudis into orbit, it reveals the growing role of the private sector in supporting the space ambitions of nations that do not have their own human spaceflight program — and no longer just the dreams of wealthy individuals. able to afford the trip.
The passengers, who have been training for months, are expected to spend approximately two weeks on the International Space Station (ISS). They plan to conduct a series of scientific experiments there.
Among the crew members: Alper Gezeravci, a fighter pilot, is to become the first Turk to cross the final frontier. He received encouragement from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who underlined the importance of this flight for his country.
The Swede Marcus Wandt is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA). His role as a “project astronaut” at ESA allows him to participate in short-term missions, via a fixed-term contract, unlike full-time astronauts, the European agency said.
“I want to thank ESA for being bold and visionary, and leading the way, together with Sweden and Axiom Space, to strengthen Europe’s presence in space,” wrote Marcus Wandt on -Twitter).
Italian Walter Villadei, a member of his country’s air force, once flew aboard a Virgin Galactic spacecraft — but the space trip lasted only a few minutes.
Finally, the Spanish-American Michael Lopez-Alegria will be the mission commander, employed by Axiom Space to support the three clients.
The details of the various contracts, including the prices paid per seat, are not made public.
These missions are carried out in partnership with NASA, which bills Axiom Space for the use of the station.
NASA plans to retire the ISS around 2030, and then send its astronauts to private stations — which will also welcome their own clients. The American space agency thus encourages the programs of several companies, including Axiom Space.
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