Axiom Space's Ax-2 the first private mission commanded by a woman and carries the first Saudi woman into space and first Saudis to visit the International Space Station.
The Axiom Space Ax-2 private astronaut crew smiles in their Dragon capsule during launch rehearsal. They are: Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi; investor and pilot John Shoffner; former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson; and Saudi astronaut Ali AlQarni.
Benji Reed, SpaceX's senior director for human spaceflight programs, said that a final check of the mission's Dragon capsule Freedom did reveal one issue that needed to be resolved. Nine fasteners on a panel near the top ofhad less thermal protection filler material than expected, Reed explained, so a team is using a crane near the rocket to reach the site to fill the gaps in those fasteners in time for flight.
"I feel like I've been preparing for this my entire life. I've been a fan of space since I was a child," Shoffner said on May 16."I grew up in the age of the early , so getting here now and having a chance to fulfill that excitement is very, very powerful to me."
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Excitement builds for Ax-2 SpaceX launch that will send 1st Saudi woman to spaceAx-2, set to launch on Sunday (May 21), will notch a number of firsts — including the first private orbital mission to be led by a woman.
Read more »
Watch SpaceX's Ax-2 private astronaut launch for Axiom Space in this free livestream on May 21SpaceX's Ax-2 launch for Axiom Space is set for 5:37 p.m. EDT (2137 GMT).
Read more »
Ax-2: SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon are on the launch pad ahead of private ISS missionAxiom Space and SpaceX's second all-private astronaut mission is due to launch to the International Space Station this weekend.
Read more »
How to Watch Friday's SpaceX Rocket Launch From the California CoastA SpaceX rocket might be visible as it soars over the Southern California coast Friday morning after a launch shortly after sunrise.
Read more »
Watch SpaceX launch its 2nd mission of the day this morningA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch 21 commercial satellites at 9:19 a.m. ET on Friday (May 19).
Read more »
How to Watch Saturday's SpaceX Rocket Launch From the California CoastA SpaceX rocket might be visible as it soars over the Southern California coast Saturday morning following a launch after sunrise.
Read more »