Crew Dragon Endeavor docked at the International Space Station during Axiom-1. Credit: NASA
Edinburgh, April 27, 2022 – Axiom-1, the first entirely private mission of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), has successfully returned to Earth. US Commander and former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Allegria, pilot Larry Connor, Israeli mission specialist Eitan Stibe and Canadian mission specialist Mark Patty landed off the coast of Florida yesterday.
Crew Dragon Endeavor joined Node 2 on the ISS’s Harmony module on April 9. The Ax-1 crew completed various scientific experiments and conducted public engagement activities for two weeks. The experiments include stem cell research, chronic pain and sleep disorders during space travel.
The Ax-1 crew remained in low Earth orbit aboard Endeavor for about 17 hours before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Crew Dragon Endeavor is designed to be sprayed into the sea with seven possible landing sites. The SpaceX Recovery Team lifted the capsule out of the water onto a platform where crew members could be retrieved.
The next manned mission to the ISS will be today’s NASA / SpaceX Crew-4 mission, part of the Merchant Crew Program. NASA astronauts Kel Lindgren, Robert Hines, Jessica Watson and ESA astronaut Samantha Christophoretti will embark on a six-month scientific mission. Crew-4 will fly Crew Dragon Freedom, which will mark the capsule’s first trip to the ISS.
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