Axiom Launches First All-Private Astronaut Mission Ax-1 With SpaceX and NASA — Who Are the First Space Tourists?

Axiom launched the world's first all-private astronaut Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

With the help of SpaceX's space rocket, Axiom was able to complete the ISS mission that marked the beginning of a new generation of low-Earth orbit, commercial space tourism.

This will also be the first-ever launch in Axiom Space's history which holds an important significance in the emerging era of commercial space travel.

Axiom Launch of Ax-1 With SpaceX

Axiom Space's ground-breaking commercial space flight is aptly named Ax-1, short for Axiom Mission 1. The Ax-1 private mission to the ISS was aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that launched from the NASA Kennedy Space Center at 11:17 a.m. ET/8:17 a.m. PT on Friday.

The Axiom space launch was greeted with nearly the ideal weather. Throughout their 10-day mission, the astronauts will spend eight days on the ISS, where they will conduct more than 25 scientific research and technology demonstrations.

This diverse portfolio expands the opportunities available to scientists and researchers around the world, and it will contribute critical data to the preparations for Axiom Station, the world's first commercial space station.

Michael Suffredini, president and CEO of Axiom Space, stated, "I first want to congratulate Michael, Larry, Eytan, and Mark. We will usher in a new era in private human spaceflight when they cross the threshold to enter the ISS."

Suffredini added, "This journey is the culmination of long hours of training, planning, and dedication from the crew and the entire Axiom Space team, our partners at SpaceX, and of course, a credit to NASA's vision to develop a sustainable presence in low-Earth orbit."

After docking, the Ax-1 crew will be greeted by astronauts from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) as well as cosmonauts from Roscosmos already onboard the ISS.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson stated that all the teams involved had worked tirelessly to make this launch a reality. Nelson added: "NASA's partnership with industry through the commercial cargo and crew programs has led our nation to this new era in human spaceflight - one with limitless potential. Congratulations to Axiom, SpaceX, and the Axiom-1 crew for making this first private mission to the International Space Station a reality."

Axiom Launch: The Ax-1 Crew

The Axiom launch today includes four Ax-1 crew members. As reported by CNN, the commander of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule is Michael Lopez-Allegria, a former NASA astronaut from 1995 to 2007 who now works in Axiom Space. Another private astronaut onboard Ax-1 is Larry Connor, an Ohio-based real estate and tech entrepreneur. Next is another businessman, Eytan Stibbe, who is a former fighter pilot from Israel. Lastly, Mark Pathy, a Canadian businessman and philanthropist.

Axiom Space is a Houston-based startup that aims to book rocket rides, provide all necessary training, and coordinate flights to the ISS for anyone who can afford to pay for the privilege.

All of this is in line with the goal of the United States government and the private sector to increase commercial activity on the ISS and beyond.

The company did not disclose how much the Ax-1 crew paid to have a seat on their first space flight, however, at a previous press conference, Axiom disclosed a price of $55 million per seat for a 10-day trip to the ISS.

Since the ISS is a government-funded and operated facility, the mission is made possible through close collaboration among Axiom, SpaceX, and NASA.