Liftoff is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. EDT
ABOVE VIDEO: SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Sunday, May 21 for Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Monday, May 22 at 5:14 p.m. ET (21:14 UTC).
ABOVE VIDEO: SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Sunday, May 21 for Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Monday, May 22 at 5:14 p.m. ET (21:14 UTC).
(NASA) – Liftoff of the Axiom Mission 2, the second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. EDT Sunday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County.
The instantaneous launch window is at 5:37 p.m. ET (21:37 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Monday, May 22 at 5:14 p.m. ET (21:14 UTC).
The crew will travel to the orbiting outpost aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.
The Ax-2 crew members are Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
NASA’s mission responsibility is for integrated operations, which begins during the spacecraft’s approach to the International Space Station, continues during the crew’s stay aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting science, education, and commercial activities, and concludes once Dragon exits the area of the space station.
The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Crew-4 to and from the space station.
Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct over 20 science and technology experiments in areas such as human physiology, physical sciences, and STEAM to help expand knowledge to benefit life on Earth in areas such as healthcare, materials, technology development, and enable industrial advances.
Space Coast Daily will broadcast the Ax-2 launch on Space Coast Daily Television, with coverage beginning at about 5 p.m. The broadcast will end after orbital insertion approximately 15 minutes after launch.
Monday, May 22 Coverage:
■ 7:30 a.m. – NASA docking coverage begins and airs through the conclusion of the welcome ceremony
■ 9:24 a.m. – Docking
■ 11:13 a.m. – Hatch Opening
■ 11:45 a.m. – Crew Welcome Ceremony
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