Dates Adjusted for Axiom Space & NASA Crew Launches to International Space Station

Axiom Space Mission Update

Axiom Space and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Sunday, April 3 – pending range availability – for launch of the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida After 10 days in orbit, including eight days living and working aboard the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-1 crew will splash down off the coast of Florida. The new targeted launch date will allow teams to complete final spacecraft processing ahead of the mission.

Prelaunch activities are progressing, including the Ax-1 crew’s completion of a test drive Thursday, March 17, in the Dragon spacecraft they’ll fly aboard to and from the International Space Station. During the test drive – also known as the Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) – the crew donned their spacesuits and entered Dragon Endeavour for the first time at SpaceX’s spacecraft processing facility in Florida.

NASA Mission Update

NASA and SpaceX also will adjust the target launch date for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station to allow appropriate spacing for operations and post-flight data reviews between human spaceflight missions and to allow for multiple consecutive launch attempts based on the orbital mechanics for arrival to the space station. The current no earlier than launch date is Tuesday, April 19, pending completion of program reviews expected early next week to formalize the new target. Crew-4 will carry an international crew of four astronauts to the orbital complex on a new Dragon spacecraft and flight proven Falcon 9 rocket for a science expedition mission.