What new feats were achieved during the Axiom 2 mission to the ISS?
Axiom 2 Astronauts Return from the ISS with Successful Splashdown
The Journey
After spending more than 80 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Axiom Space’s second privately funded mission successfully returned four astronauts to Earth. The journey commenced on October 31, 2021, and ended on January 9, 2022, with a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The mission was historic, marking the first time a commercially funded crewed spacecraft left Earth’s orbit, flew to, and has returned safely from the ISS.
The Crew
The Axiom 2 mission crew consisted of four astronauts – Commander Michael López-Alegría, pilot Larry Connor, mission specialist Mark Pathy, and second mission specialist Eytan Stibbe. López-Alegría, a retired NASA astronaut, had previously completed four spaceflights, spending 260 days in space. Connor, a real estate investor, made history as the second-oldest person to fly in space, at 71. Pathy, a Canadian entrepreneur and investor, and Stibbe, an Israeli business executive, each made their first spaceflight.
The Mission
The Axiom 2 mission demonstrated the feasibility of commercial space travel and explored various health and scientific research outcomes. During the mission, the astronauts performed various tasks, including maintenance work on the ISS and experiments on plant growth and human biology. These experiments will further scientists’ understanding of long-term space travel’s impacts on human health and the environment. Additionally, Axiom 2 marks the first commercial space mission to include private individuals, who were able to purchase a seat on the spacecraft.
The Splashdown
On January 9, 2022, the Axiom 2 mission ended with a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The recovery teams quickly located the spacecraft and retrieved the astronauts, who appeared to be in good health. The journey home saw the astronauts experience some turbulence, but they all reported feeling well upon arrival at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for debriefing.
The Future
The success of Axiom 2 marks a crucial step towards developing commercial space travel and could open doors for more private citizens to experience space travel. The mission exemplified the possibilities of commercial space exploration beyond NASA-funded missions. Axiom Space is now preparing to launch more commercially funded missions to the ISS, offering more opportunities for private citizens to experience space travel and contributing to our knowledge of the universe.
Conclusion
The successful return of the Axiom 2 astronauts marks a significant milestone in the history of commercial space exploration. The mission demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of commercial space travel and could open doors for more private citizens to partake in space missions. The success of Axiom 2 will go down in history as another stepping stone in our never-ending quest to explore the universe.
