Ax-2 Crew Undocks from International Space Station

The Ax-2 crew is currently on their journey back to Earth after 10 days in space conducting scientific experiments and outreach activities. 

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Ax-2 crew undocked from the ISS at 11:05 a.m. EDT. The vehicle is anticipated to splash down off the coast of Florida approximately at 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 30.  

Coverage of the Ax-2 crew, Dragon’s re-entry, and splashdown will be available via Axiom Space and SpaceX beginning about an hour ahead of splashdown. You can find updates on splashdown here. The coverage will air on Axiom Space’s website and SpaceX’s website. 

The Ax-2 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, from the Saudi Space Commission (SSC).  During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-2 astronauts successfully executed over 20 STEAM outreach engagements and over 20 different experiments, as well as eight media events. The SpaceX Dragon will return to Earth with more than 300 pounds of cargo and important data that will impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and on-orbit, as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and benefit humankind on Earth. 

Watch coverage of the Ax-2 crew return to Earth:

• 10:00 p.m. EDT webcast begins

• 11:00 p.m. EDT (approximately) splashdown

Crew Dragon Hatch Has Closed, Ax-2 Prepares to Undock from International Space Station

The hatch between the SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS) closed at 9:20 a.m. EDT, the start of readying the vehicle for undocking for the Ax-2 crew’s return to Earth.  

The vehicle is anticipated to undock at approximately 11:00 a.m. EDT on May 30, 2023. 

Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX will provide joint coverage of the undocking of the Dragon spacecraft with the Ax-2 crew at 10:45 a.m. EDT. Following undocking on May 30, Axiom Space and SpaceX will provide joint webcast coverage of the crew’s return to Earth.  

The Ax-2 crew, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali AlQarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, will splash down off the coast of Florida at approximately 11:09 a.m. EDT. Coverage of the Ax-2 crew, Dragon’s re-entry, and splashdown will be available via Axiom Space and SpaceX beginning about an hour ahead of splashdown. You find updates on hatch closure, undocking, and splashdown here.  

Mission teams will monitor weather at the possible splashdown sites prior to undocking to ensure conditions are acceptable for a safe recovery of the spacecraft and Ax-2 astronauts. 

During the Ax-2 mission, the four-person multinational astronaut crew conducted more than 20 different experiments while aboard the space station, made possible by Axiom Space’s full-service integration into the NASA process for science and technology activities onboard the ISS. Data collected in-flight will impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and on-orbit, as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and to benefit humankind on Earth. Axiom Space’s partnerships offer the opportunity to expand the commercial space economy and support commercial innovations and manufacturing of biomedical products and advanced materials in low-Earth orbit.  

Ax-2 Mission Update: May 29

Today, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi finished up all science and media outreach events and started packing the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for their return home.Whitson worked on the emergency equipment transfer and Dragon cargo packing. Shoffner also focused on cargo packing and finished up recording activities for media engagement and STEAM outreach. 

After working in the life sciences glovebox for six days in a row, Barnawi utilized the glovebox one last time for the DNA Nano Therapeutics study, producing the final set of DNA-inspired Janus base nanomaterials on-orbit. 

In addition, the Ax-2 crew members participated in a SpaceX briefing about undocking and the weather conditions at the splashdown sites. All conditions including weather are a GO for undocking tomorrow around 11:00 a.m. EDT.

The Ax-2 crew will complete approximately 10 days in space by the conclusion of their mission. During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-2 astronauts successfully executed over 20 STEAM outreach engagements and more than 20 research studies in microgravity, as well as eight media events. The SpaceX Dragon will return to Earth with more than 300 pounds of cargo and important data that will impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and on-orbit, as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and benefit humankind on Earth. 

Today, Alqarni and Barnawi performed their final STEAM outreach event with the Nanoracks Heat Transfer payload, demonstrating heat transfer in space. During this event, Barnawi and Alqarni monitored the heat transfer of a wire as it heated and cooled. Students then compared how heat transfer on the ISS differs from control experiments performed on Earth. 

As the Ax-2 crew prepares to depart from the International Space Station, today the Ax-2 astronauts joined the Expedition 69 crew members for a joint farewell ceremony. During the event, the Ax-2 crew shared words of appreciation and stories about their experience on the space station, and the ISS crew had an opportunity to celebrate the historic Ax-2 mission. You can watch the event on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel. 

Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. EDT, the hatch closure will be livestreamed on Axiom Space’s website, NASA Television, and the agency’s website. Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX will resume joint coverage at 10:45 a.m. EDT with undocking. Coverage of the Dragon’s re-entry and splashdown will be available on Axiom Space’s website and SpaceX’s website beginning about an hour ahead of splashdown, which is now targeted at 11:09 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 30. You find updates on hatch closure, undocking, and splashdown here.

Mission teams will continue to monitor weather at the possible splashdown sites prior to undocking to ensure conditions are acceptable for a safe recovery of the spacecraft and Ax-2 astronauts. 

The four-person multinational crew has made history as the first Axiom Space mission with both private and government sponsored astronauts, opening access to low-Earth orbit to a broader population. Ax-2 is another pivotal step along the journey along the journey toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.

Ax-2, Expedition 69 Crew Celebrates Historic Mission Prior to Departure from Space Station

As the Ax-2 crew prepares to depart from the International Space Station, today Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi joined the Expedition 69 crew members for a joint farewell ceremony. During the event, the Ax-2 crew shared words of appreciation and stories about their experience on the space station, and the ISS crew had an opportunity to celebrate the historic Ax-2 mission. 

The four-person multinational astronaut crew is scheduled to undock no earlier than 11:05 a.m. EDT on May 30, from the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to begin the journey home and splashdown off the coast of Florida. Click here for undocking and departure coverage for Ax-2.

Ax-2 Mission Update: May 28

Today Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi successfully completed the last full day of science research and STEAM outreach.

Whitson executed another run of the Axiom Space Comm Systems tech demo, testing communication with the ground team. This capability will potentially allow crew members more flexibility in communicating with mission control and loved ones on the ground.

Whitson also performed the Space Tissue and Regeneration research in the life sciences glovebox. Axiom Space partnered with the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and BioServe Space Technologies to send tissue-engineered liver and kidney constructs on the Ax-2 mission to assess the impact of microgravity on vascularization of thick tissues. The outcome of this study could lead to the in-space bioengineering of ‘building blocks’ of tissue that can serve as a bridge to transplantation in patients awaiting a limited supply of donor organs.

Shoffner did a final exercise wearing the MIT skinsuit to demonstrate its ability to attenuate microgravity induced physiological changes. The skinsuit is a potential spaceflight countermeasure, which aims to mitigate the effects of microgravity on the body, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes.  

Barnawi had another day of life sciences glovebox operations supporting the RNA response payload, which will inform researchers on the immune system’s response to microgravity. 

 Alqarni conducted the JAMSS Odor Visualization tech demo by gathering odor data in various locations on the space station, which researchers on the ground can then analyze and use to build a visual representation of the odors on the space station.

In addition, Barnawi and AlQarni continued gathering data for the Nebula research investigations, which look at how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight.

 Tomorrow, the Ax-2 crew will spend most of the time packing the return cargo and preparing for undocking. Barnawi will utilize the life sciences glovebox one last time for the DNA Nano Therapeutics study.

Shoffner conducted a live event with the Humanity United with MIT Art and Nanotechnology (HUMANS) project. HUMANS is an MIT student-led project that combines art and nanotechnology to increase global representation in space. HUMANS has created a record of voices from people all around the world in their native languages, sharing their thoughts on the meaning of space. HUMANS creates a symbolic avenue for space access worldwide and emphasizes how space should remain a “space" for everyone. You can watch the event on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.     

Today, Alqarni and Barnawi conducted a STEAM event with thousands of Saudi students on the ground featuring the Nanoracks Space Kite payload to demonstrate the aerodynamic behavior of kites in microgravity. 

The Ax-2 crew and Axiom Space’s Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low participated in a live, on-orbit science briefing. The crew did a Q&A with Dr. Low to provide updates on the science and research they have been conducting during their time on the space station. You can watch the event on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel. 

Tomorrow, Barnawi and Alqarni will perform their final STEAM outreach event with the Nanoracks Heat Transfer payload, demonstrating heat transfer in space. During this event, Barnawi and Alqarni will monitor the heat transfer of a wire as it heats and cools. Students will compare how heat transfer on the ISS differs from control experiments performed on Earth.

Tomorrow, the Ax-2 and NASA Expedition 69 crews will hold a joint farewell ceremony. Inspired by the traditional “change of command” conducted by long-duration ISS crews, this event provides an opportunity for the crew to share some words as they conclude their time in space. You can watch the event live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel at 10:50 a.m. EDT.

For information on how to watch the live coverage of the undocking and departure of the Ax-2 crew from the ISS, visit our website axiomspace.com.   

Watch the Ax-2 On-Orbit Science Briefing

Today Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi participated in an on-orbit science briefing led by Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low. While answering questions live from the International Space Station, the Ax-2 astronauts discussed the science and research they have been conducting throughout their mission and a few fun stories from their time on the orbiting laboratory.

The Ax-2 crew is conducting more than 20 experiments aboard the space station, made possible by Axiom Space’s full-service integration into the NASA process for science and technology activities onboard the ISS. Data collected in-flight will impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and on-orbit and establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and humankind on Earth. Axiom Space’s partnerships offer the opportunity to expand the commercial space economy and support commercial innovations and manufacturing of biomedical products and advanced materials in low-Earth orbit.

Ax-2 Mission Update: May 27

Today Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi had a great day and completed not only their scheduled work but also a couple bonus activities from the task list. The crew spent the day gathering data and conducting studies for the research projects and hosting STEAM outreach events with students around the world.

Whitson continued observing tumor cell samples in the fluorescence microscope for the Cancer in Low-Earth Orbit experiment, which will help us learn how cancers form and possibly develop ways to predict and treat cancer on Earth.    

Whitson also set up Axiom Space’s Stowage Tracking & Inventory Intelligent Video System (STIIVS) in the cupola, which uses computer vision to identify and track items for inventory management, stowage location tracking, and associated analytics. Results could provide insight into the feasibility and efficiency of this tool for use on Axiom Habitation Module 1 (AxH1) once it is attached to the ISS. 

Shoffner did another exercise wearing the skinsuit to demonstrate its ability to attenuate microgravity-induced physiological changes. The Skinsuit is a potential spaceflight countermeasure, which aims to mitigate the effects of microgravity on the body, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes.  

Barnawi and Alqarni measured their blood pressure, blood oxygen, and heart rate levels, as well as performed some brain imaging studies for the Nebula Human Research investigations, which will look at how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight to better understand human health in microgravity. These human research studies are assessing tools that monitor brain and eye health and may offset the long-term effects of living in weightlessness.

Alqarni continued operations for the Stellar Stem Cells project to explore whether microgravity can make it easier and more efficient to produce large batches of stem cells. In partnership with Cedars Sinai, this is the first of a series of missions supported by Axiom Space, where, for the first time, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will ultimately be manufactured in space by astronauts.   

Barnawi is now a pro when it comes to using the life science glovebox as she continues the study on mRNA response. Today she treated human immune cells with a substance that mimics an inflammatory response for the RNA response project.

Shoffner hosted a STEAM event in coordination with the Odyssey Scholarship Program. He conducted a science demonstration on inertia and Q&A with students ages 8-12 located in Miami, FL. You can watch it on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.    

Alqarni and Barnawi conducted a science demonstration with the “liquid fireworks” payload to show differences in fluid behavior on Earth and in space, which students recreated on the ground. To execute this experiment, the Saudi crew injected fluids and mixed components into a custom-designed apparatus designed by Nanoracks. 

Tomorrow, Alqarni and Barnawi will conduct a STEAM event with the Nanoracks Space Kite payload, which will demonstrate the aerodynamic behavior of kites in microgravity. Three kites of different shapes will be fixed to a fan on the ISS and their movement will be tracked. The Saudi crew will host a live event with thousands of students on the ground as part of the Saudi education outreach program.  

 Shoffner will do a live event tomorrow with the Humanity United with MIT Art and Nanotechnology (HUMANS) project. HUMANS is a MIT student-led project that combines art and nanotechnology for increasing global representation in space. HUMANS has created a record of voices from people all around the world in their native languages, sharing their thoughts on the meaning of space for themselves and humanity. This six-inch record, inspired by The Golden Record, has been etched using cutting-edge MIT nanotechnology to be launched up to the ISS. HUMANS creates a symbolic avenue for space access worldwide and emphasizes how space should remain a “space" for everyone. You can watch the event on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.    

Finally, tomorrow the Ax-2 astronauts and Axiom Space’s Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low will do a science briefing. The crew will do a Q&A with Dr. Low to provide updates on the science and research they have been conducting during their time on the space station. The event will take place at 10:00 a.m. CT. You can watch it live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel and NASA TV. 

The Ax-2 crew now has two more days on the International Space Station before they head back to Earth. You can find information on how to watch the live coverage of the undocking and departure of the Ax-2 crew from the ISS, here.   

Ax-2 Pilot John Shoffner Announces International Student Art and Poetry Selections from ISS

During his mission to the International Space Station (ISS) Ax-2 Astronaut John Shoffner announced the final selections of his International Space Art and Poetry Contest. From 250 miles above Earth, Shoffner showcased a sample of the 930 entries from 26 countries from students who answered the question - What would it look like if we lived in space?”   

Surrounded by floating colorful artwork and thoughtful words, Shoffner named six chosen representatives, each hand-selected by an esteemed panel of judges, including Ax-2 Commander Peggy Whitson, science educator Kaci Heins, and artist/poet Monique Lorden. Students were scored based on thematic accuracy, interpretation, overall impression, and more. 

Here are the 2023 category representatives, announced from the International Space Station!  

John Shoffner is a life-long space enthusiast. At 8-years-old, he formed a young astronauts club with his friends in his hometown of Middlesboro, Kentucky. John's wild ambition to become an astronaut never escaped him. In fact, he held onto a painting he created at 10 years old of an astronaut floating in space. This very painting has served as the inspiration for the International Space Art and Poetry Contest.  

A special thanks to Limitless Space Institute and Crayola Experience for your incredible partnership!   

To view all submissions, check out www.spaceartcontest.com 

Watch Coverage of Ax-2 Crew Departure from Space Station

Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX will provide live coverage of the undocking and departure of Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) from the International Space Station (ISS) before the Ax-2 crew returns to Earth. 

The four-person multinational astronaut crew is scheduled to undock no earlier than 11:05 a.m. EDT on May 30, from the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to begin the journey home and splashdown off the coast of Florida.  

Coverage of the Ax-2 return will include four separate segments over three days — farewell ceremony, hatch closure, undocking, and splashdown. All segments will be available at AxiomSpace.com.  

Axiom Space and NASA will begin coverage on the morning of May 29, with a farewell ceremony between the Ax-2 and NASA Expedition 69 crew. On May 30, at 9:00 a.m. EDT the hatch closure will air on NASA Television, the agency’s website, and Axiom Space’s website. Coverage will resume at 10:45 a.m. EDT with undocking via Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. Following undocking on May 31, Axiom Space and SpaceX will provide joint webcast coverage of the crew’s return to Earth. 

Mission teams will monitor weather at the possible splashdown sites prior to undocking to ensure conditions are acceptable for a safe recovery of the spacecraft and Ax-2 astronauts. 

Ax-2 Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, both representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will complete approximately 10 days in space by the conclusion of their mission. The SpaceX Dragon will return to Earth with more than 300 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 20 different experiments. 

Undocking and departure coverage for Ax-2 is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on operations).  

MONDAY, MAY 29
10:50 a.m. – Ax-2 Farewell Ceremony  

The ISS crew will participate in an end of mission, on-orbit event. Coverage will be available via Axiom Space and NASA.   

TUESDAY, MAY 30 
9:00 a.m. – Hatch Closure  

The hatch will close between the Dragon spacecraft and the International Space Station in preparation for undocking. Coverage will be provided by NASA and be amplified by Axiom Space for the hatch closure at approximately ahead of 9:10 a.m. EDT. 

10:45 a.m. – Undocking 

The Ax-2 crew will undock from the ISS to begin the journey back to Earth. Integrated Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX coverage resumes for a NET 11:05 a.m. undocking time and continues until approximately 30 minutes after undocking ends and coverage will continue with Axiom Space and SpaceX. 

11:09 p.m. ET – Splashdown and Landing  

Coverage of the Ax-2 crew, Dragon’s re-entry, and splashdown will be available on Axiom Space and SpaceX beginning about an hour ahead of splashdown. More details will be provided closer to undocking, you can find updates here.  

Ax-2 is the second of several proposed Axiom Space missions to the ISS and a critical first step along the journey toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.    

Follow along for mission updates with #Ax2 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and on our website. 

Editor’s note: Splashdown time updated on May 29, 2023.

Ax-2 Mission Update: May 26

Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi have now been living and working aboard the International Space Station for five days. Today the crew continued their work on science experiments, microgravity research, and technology demonstrations. The astronauts also participated in media engagements and STEAM events. 

Whitson successfully completed the Axiom Imagery Processing Collection tech demonstration, which is an automatic, wireless transfer application tool for downlinking imagery. This demonstration will provide insight on the feasibility and efficiency of this tool for future use on Axiom Station to reduce crew and ground time on image transferring, allowing more time to focus on science and outreach. 

Whitson and Shoffner worked on different biomedical research studies exploring ways to improve life on Earth and in space. For the Cancer in Low-Earth Orbit experiment, Whitson removed tumor cell samples from a research incubator and placed them in the fluorescence microscope for imaging to learn how cancers form and possibly develop ways to predict and treat cancer on Earth.   

Shoffner exercised while wearing a specialized skinsuit to demonstrate its ability to attenuate microgravity-induced physiological changes. The Skinsuit is a potential spaceflight countermeasure, which aims to mitigate the effects of microgravity on the body, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes.  

Barnawi and Alqarni measured their blood pressure, blood oxygen, and heart rate levels, as well as performed some brain imaging studies for the Nebula Human Research investigations, which will look at how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight to better understand human health in microgravity. These human research studies are assessing tools that monitor brain and eye health and may offset the long-term effects of living in weightlessness. 

Barnawi dedicated a lot of time today conducting studies on different cells in the life science glovebox. Firstly, she treated human immune cells with a substance that mimics an inflammatory response for a study on mRNA response and stability, which will inform researchers on the immune system’s response to microgravity. In addition, Barnawi serviced stem cell samples for the Stellar Stem Cell study to see how microgravity affects the way the cells divide, as well as their ability to absorb DNA – a crucial step in stem cell manufacturing. Earlier in the morning, Alqarni also supported the Stellar Stem Cell project by inserting the samples into a fluorescence microscope for imaging. 

Whitson had a conversation and conducted a science experiment demonstration on surface tension with science TV host and aeronautics and astronautics engineer Emily Calandrelli, known as the Space Gal. During the event, Whitson talked about what it is like to live and work in space and her career as an astronaut. The event will be shared at a later date.  

Shoffner announced the final selections of his International Space Art and Poetry Contest. He released a video showcasing a sample of the 930 entries from 26 countries from students who answered the question, “What would it look like if we lived in space?” Shoffner also hosted live STEAM outreach events with students from Middlesboro Middle School and MIT graduate and undergraduate students involved in the Skinsuit project. You can watch both events live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.      

Tomorrow, Shoffner will host a STEAM event in coordination with the Odyssey Scholarship Program. He will conduct a science demonstration on inertia and Q&A with students ages 8-12 located in Miami, FL. The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. CDT. You can watch it live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.   

Ax-2 Mission Update: May 25

Today, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi are now almost halfway through their mission on the International Space Station. The Ax-2 crew had a busy day executing payload operations, conducting microgravity research, collecting biomedical samples, and participating in STEAM outreach and media engagements.  

Whitson continued working on the Cancer in Low-Earth Orbit experiment, which will study prospective therapies for breast and blood cancers by testing countermeasure drugs on the space station. This project will contribute to the goal of creating cellular models to predict and detect the development of cancer and develop future therapeutics.   

Alqarni continued operations for the Stellar Stem Cells project to explore whether microgravity can make it easier and more efficient to produce large batches of stem cells. In partnership with Cedars Sinai, this is the first of a series of missions supported by Axiom Space, where, for the first time, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will ultimately be manufactured in space by astronauts.   

Alqarni began setting up the cloud seeding experiment, which is a collaborative effort with Nanoracks and the Saudi Space Commission. In this experiment, cloud seeding will be examined in space under microgravity conditions. Moist air and silver iodide crystals will be mixed in a reaction chamber to examine the possibility of nucleation, where water vapor condenses around the silver crystals to form water droplets.  The outcome of this experiment could help develop agricultural technologies to generate artificial rain in future human settlements on the Moon and Mars.  

Shoffner and Alqarni collected more samples for the Nebula Human Research investigations, which will look at how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight to better understand human physiology in microgravity. The astronauts scanned each other’s eyes with the Ultrasound 2 device and wore a cap filled with sensors, to scan their brains’ oxygen levels using near-infrared light. These studies may provide insights into the effects of weightlessness on cognition and vision.  

The Ax-2 astronauts had a busy day conducting STEAM outreach events. The Ax-2 crew hosted a STEAM-focused educational outreach event with Space Center Houston. Local children and community members attended the event and had the opportunity to ask the crew questions about their experience in space and the important science experiments and microgravity research they will be conducting on the International Space Station. You can watch the event on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.  

Alqarni and Barnawi also conducted a STEAM outreach event with students ages 9-18 in coordination with the Ministry of Education, Mawhiba, Riyadh School, and Misk Schools part of the Saudi education outreach program. The astronauts conducted a science demonstration with the Nanoracks Space Kite payload to show how microgravity affects the aerodynamic behavior of kites.      

Shoffner used the HAM radio, through an organization known as ARISS, to connect with students and show them what it is like to live and work in space. ARISS gives crew members aboard the space station the opportunity to promote the exploration of STEAM topics.   

Tomorrow, Whitson will have a conversation and conduct a science experiment demonstration on surface tension with Emily Calandrelli, TV host and social media influencer. This STEAM engagement will educate viewers on what it is like to live and work in space and Whitson will have the opportunity to speak about her career. You can watch this event live at 10:15 a.m. CDT on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.  

Shoffner is staying busy connecting with students around the world to inspire career paths in STEAM. Tomorrow he will host two live STEAM outreach events with students from Middlesboro Middle School and MIT graduate and undergraduate students involved in the Skinsuit project. The MIT Skinsuit event will take place at 9:45 a.m. CDT and the Middlesboro Middle School will occur at 1:40 p.m. CDT. You can watch both events live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.   

Today, Whitson and Shoffner kicked off the on-orbit media engagements for the Ax-2 mission. In one of the interviews, Shoffner did a Q&A with Men’s Health Magazine on living and working in space, training for the mission, and mental health. Click here to watch the event with Men’s Health Magazine.  

Ax-2 Crew Participates in STEAM Outreach Event with Space Center Houston

Today, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi participated in a science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) outreach event with Space Center Houston. Local children and community members attended the event and had the opportunity to ask the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) crew questions about their experience in space and the important science experiments and microgravity research they will be conducting on the International Space Station.

During the mission, the four-person multinational astronaut crew will conduct more than 20 different experiments while aboard the space station, made possible by Axiom Space’s full-service integration into the NASA process for science and technology activities onboard the ISS. The crew will also be conducting numerous STEAM outreach events with students around the globe to educate youth about space exploration and inspire career paths in STEAM. Click here for more information on the microgravity research and experiments that will be conducted on then Ax-2 mission.

Additional outreach events and updates of the Ax-2 mission will be posted on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.

Follow #Ax2 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates.  

Ax-2 Mission Update: May 24

Today, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi executed their first full day of science operations and media outreach. They began sharing updates on their efforts on the ISS on their social media accounts.  

Barnawi used the life science glovebox to perform the DNA Nano Therapeutics operations, which she completed well ahead of the timeline, producing the first DNA Nanomaterials on the ISS. This project leverages microgravity to optimize production of DNA-inspired nanomaterials and set standards for in-space manufacturing of a wide range of nanomaterial therapeutic applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Axiom Space has partnered with the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech for the DNA Nano Therapeutics project, which is funded through the NASA In-Space Production Applications (InSPA) program. 

Alqarni and Barnawi also performed a test run of the Nanoracks Space Kite payload, which will demonstrate the aerodynamic behavior of kites in microgravity. Three kites of different shapes will be fixed to a fan on the ISS and their movement will be tracked. The Saudi crew will host a live event with thousands of students on the ground as part of the Saudi education outreach program. 

Whitson and Shoffner worked on the Stellar Stem Cells project that will grow stem cells on the ISS to see whether microgravity has any impact on the way the cells grow. By studying stem cells in space, it could address the challenges that currently limit using these cells as therapies in regenerative medicine. Axiom Space has partnered with Cedars Sinai  for this project, making it the first time induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will be manufactured in space by astronauts. 

Whitson started the Cancer in Low-Earth Orbit experiment, which will study prospective therapies for colorectal and breast cancers by testing countermeasure drugs on the space station. This effort contributes to the goal of creating cellular models to predict and detect the development of cancer. 

The Ax-2 crew collected samples for the Nebula Human Research investigation. This is part of a portfolio of projects that will look at how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight to better understand human physiology in microgravity, which will contribute to our understanding of how to keep humans healthy in space. The Nebula projects will utilize novel neuroscience tools to measure blood flow to the brain and the brain’s electrical activity, assess intracranial pressure by non-invasive assessment of the pupil of the eye, and monitor changes in the optic nerve over time. 

An exercise session was performed by the Ax-2 crew in support of the “Skinsuit” experiment. The Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit is an intravehicular activity suit for astronauts that has been developed to simulate some of the effects of Earth’s gravity by providing vertical load on the body, from the shoulders to the feet. The Skinsuit is a potential spaceflight countermeasure, which aims to mitigate physiological effects of microgravity, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes. 

The Ax-2 crew did a test event with ICE Cubes, which is a platform that is being used during the mission to interact in real-time with the media, students, and public. The Ax-2 crew completed the first of many recordings that will be sent to the ground for use in STEAM outreach, social media, and commercial activities. 

Today, John Shoffner participated in two STEAM outreach events with students from Oporto British School in Portugal and Rathmore National School in Ireland. During the events, Shoffner conducted a live Q&A with the students regarding what it is like to live and work in space. Shoffner will be conducting many outreach events and microgravity demonstrations on the space station with the goal of inspiring students around the world to pursue STEAM education. You can watch both events live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.  

Alqarni and Barnawi talked to students in Saudi Arabia via Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, known as the ARISS program. Part of a larger effort to engage students across the nation, the Saudi Space Commission posted various photos of the event on their social media accounts. 

Tomorrow the Ax-2 crew will host a STEAM-focused educational outreach event with Space Center Houston along with local children and community members. This will be a live NASA PAO event and will occur at 10:35 a.m. CT. You can watch it live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel and NASA TV.   

Watch the full mission update:

Ax-2 Mission to Conduct Studies to Mitigate Negative Effects of Human Spaceflight

Credit: TRISH | Cognitive and physiological data on crew behavior and performance is collected before launch and after landing on Earth.

Axiom Space has partnered with the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to better understand how space travel impacts the body and mind and how to prevent the negative effects of environmental conditions in space. The Ax-2 crew will track several key biomedical metrics before and after spaceflight for the TRISH Essential Measures project and wear a specialized “skinsuit” that simulates some of the effects of Earth’s gravity to mitigate some of the physiological effects of microgravity as part of MIT research.  

TRISH Essential Measures

TRISH is sending a dynamic portfolio of research projects aboard Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to better understand the wide-ranging effects of spaceflight on the human body and mind. When astronauts travel to space, they must adapt to the harsh environmental conditions, including microgravity, increased radiation, and isolation. Without the proper countermeasures, spaceflight causes nausea and disorientation, muscle atrophy, bone loss, changes to cognitive health, immune system dysfunction, vision changes, sleep alterations, and changes to the cardiovascular system. While scientists have already discovered significant findings about how spaceflight affects the body and how to manage or limit its impacts, there is so much more to learn. This knowledge is particularly crucial as commercial spaceflight enables more people, some of which have medical conditions, to visit space than ever before.

Based at Baylor College of Medicine and in consortium with MIT and Caltech, TRISH is an applied space health research catalyst that pursues and funds novel research to deliver high-impact scientific and technological solutions to advance space health and help humans thrive wherever they explore, in space or on Earth. For the Ax-2 mission, TRISH has partnered with experts in a variety of fields to track several key health metrics before and after spaceflight. Dr. Mathias Basner and his team at the University of Pennsylvania will track the astronauts’ physiologic performance, and changes in memory, abstraction, spatial orientation, emotion recognition, risk decision-making, and sustained attention to better understand the impact of spaceflight on human cognition and performance. Dr. Mark Shelhamer of Johns Hopkins University will study how the astronauts’ inner ears and eyes sense and respond to the rapid lack of gravity changes in orientation and balance experienced during flight and how this correlates with space-related motion sickness. TRISH will also collect ocular images and vision function data to assess risk of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), gather biomedical samples to surveil for alterations at the genomic level in partnership with Dr. Richard Gibbs at Baylor College of Medicine’s Human Genome Sequencing Center, and administer a set of standardized research questionnaires for the crew to collect data on their sleep, personality, health history, team dynamics, and immune-related symptoms.

The information collected from the Ax-2 crew will be stored in TRISH’s EXPAND database alongside similar data from participants of other private spaceflight missions, including Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1). This repository of information will serve as a useful resource for scientists solving the complex health risks to human spaceflight and preparing for future deep space exploration missions. By revealing the body’s innate vulnerabilities, capabilities, and areas of resilience, spaceflight data also contributes to our general knowledge of physiology and medicine, with clear applications for improving human health on Earth.

Credit: TRISH | Sensorimotor data is collected from the crew before launch and after returning to earth to help researchers determine the ability to predict who will get motion sickness in space.

MIT Skinsuit: Gravity Loading Countermeasure

Credit: Rachel Bellisle

The Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit (or “Skinsuit”) is an intravehicular activity suit for astronauts that has been developed to simulate some of the effects of Earth’s gravity by providing vertical load on the body, from the shoulders to the feet. The Skinsuit is a potential spaceflight countermeasure, which aims to mitigate physiological effects of microgravity, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes. This low-mass and low-volume wearable system is intended to supplement exercise during future missions to the Moon and Mars and to further attenuate microgravity-induced physiological effects in future low Earth orbit mission scenarios. Previous Skinsuit experiments, led by MIT and/or international collaborators, have included ground experiments, parabolic flights, International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 44S (Sep 2015, 10 days) and ISS Expedition 50/51 (Oct 2016 to Jun 2017).

The goal of the MIT Skinsuit study on Ax-2 is to characterize the Skinsuit and its physiological effects during a short-duration low-Earth orbit mission. The Skinsuit and accompanying exercise procedure will be the primary countermeasure to mitigate musculoskeletal and sensorimotor changes for one private astronaut crew member, as a technology demonstration during the 8-day mission on the ISS. The project will also demonstrate new features and applications for the suit, exploring the use of a “smart” suit with integrated sensors to monitor the suit’s behavior inflight.

Ax-2 Mission Update: May 23

Throughout out the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) the team at Axiom Space will be providing updates about the crew’s activity aboard the International Space Station.  

Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi are doing well and getting to work. 

Yesterday, the crew arrived at the International Space Station and were welcomed by the Expedition 69 crew.  

Now on flight day three, the Ax-2 crew jumped right into their tasks and activities for today. They completed the handover activities with the USOS crew early and finished transferring equipment and cargo out of Dragon. Ali and Ray started setting up the Nanoracks Liquid Fireworks payload and performed a test run in preparation for an event with the students later in the week. This STEAM demonstration will show differences in fluid behavior on Earth and space through a visual experiment that students will recreate on the ground. The Ax-2 crew also reviewed ISS emergency roles and responsibilities, and received on-board training to make sure all 11 crew members on the space station can execute emergency procedures as a team. 

Tomorrow, John Shoffner will be participating in two STEAM outreach events with students from Oporto British School in Portugal and Rathmore National School in Ireland. The Oporto British School STEAM event will occur at 6:30 a.m. CT and the Rathmore National School event will follow at 7:30 a.m. CT. You can watch both events live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel. 

Watch the full mission update. 

Axiom Space’s Mission Control Center Plays Integral Role During Ax-2 Mission

The Axiom Space Mission Control Center (MCC-A) is an integral part of the Ax-2 mission. Since the company's first private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), MCC-A has achieved a significant milestone in establishing a direct, live connection to NASA’s Johnson Space Center’s Mission Control Center (MCC-H) services.  

Axiom Space’s MCC-A is officially the 12th Ground Segment Partner for the International Space Station (ISS) Program. This connection is allowing Axiom Space to execute the Ax-2 mission and future missions out of the  Axiom Space Headquarters in Houston. The new capability enables  MCC-A to connect and communicate via voice and video through NASA’s MCC-H connection to support ISS on-orbit operations. Axiom Space will continue to add services and capabilities as progress is made toward the launch and operation of Axiom Station’s first module. 

Throughout the Ax-2 mission, MCC-A will be staffed with knowledgeable Axiom Space specialists who will communicate with the crew via voice and video capabilities. The room is led by an Axiom Operations Lead, also called an AXOL, and around the room are positions for officers responsible for research, communications, medical, integration, and stowage and timeline operations. 

This is a significant step in Axiom Space’s journey toward building the world’s first commercial space station and expanding access to low-Earth orbit. Through this facility, Axiom Space is enabling its customers and the global community to have a front row seat to the work being done on station. 

In January 2022, MCC-A conducted its first-ever, on-orbit operation on the ISS, supporting the SQuARES payload’s scientific research. SQuARES, the Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment, treats the ISS as an archaeological site and documents how items located around the station change over time. In June 2022, MCC-A supported the Ax-1 mission by engaging crew outreach and ensuring that research and scientific work with the payloads were accomplished. 

 The next MCC-A milestone will include expanded services and capabilities for Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3).  

Ax-2 Crew Celebrates Arrival to the International Space Station

The historic Ax-2 crew has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS). The second all-private astronaut crew – Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali AlQarni and Rayyanah Barnawi – entered the space station following Dragon’s hatch opening at 11 a.m. EDT Monday, May 22. 

While entering the space station, the Ax-2 crew was greeted by Expedition 69 crew members aboard station, including NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, Woody Hoburg, and Stephen Bowen, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Dmitri Petelin, Andrey Fedyaev, and Sergey Prokopyev.   

The astronauts held a welcome ceremony for the crew. Whitson, in her role as Ax-2 mission commander, pinned Shoffner, AlQarni, and Barnawi with the universal astronaut insignia, a pin from the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) and signifies their status as flown astronauts. The pin aims to represent everyone who has flown into space, regardless of nationality or launch provider. 

Whitson presented her three crewmates with their official astronaut pins declaring Schoffner the 598th astronaut, AlQarni the 599th, and Barnawi the 600th to orbit the Earth. 

Watch the ISS welcome ceremony here. 

Barnawi is also the first Saudi woman to fly in space and the first Arab woman to orbit the Earth. Barnawi and AlQarni are the first Saudis on board the ISS.  

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the four Axiom Space astronauts launched on a Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, May 21, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  

The Ax-2 crew will live and work aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting more than 20 research experiments across a breadth of science and technology specialty areas to inform future human spaceflight and improve life on Earth. Ax-2 is the second of several proposed Axiom Space missions to the ISS, and a critical first step along the journey toward Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.   

The astronauts are expected to depart the space station Tuesday, May 30 as the crew splashes down off the coast of Florida. 

Meet GiGi the Furry Fifth Crew Member of Axiom Mission 2 Built to Inspire Future Space Explorers, Careers in STEAM

A furry fifth crew member is in space alongside the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) astronauts. The teddy bear, named GiGi, took flight on Sunday, May 21 as the Ax-2 mission’s zero-gravity indicator wearing Axiom Space’s next-generation spacesuit.

It’s all thanks to a partnership with Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW). The partnership is driven by the shared goal for GiGi to encourage youth to learn more about space exploration and consider career paths in STEAM. Young enthusiasts can follow GiGi’s journey on her blog designed to help kids see themselves through her unBEARlievable experience.

GiGi going to space continues the tradition of having a zero-gravity indicator inside the spacecraft to provide a visual indicator when the spacecraft has reached the weightlessness of microgravity. As the fifth crew member of Ax-2, GiGi’s mission is to inspire children around the world to learn about space and consider careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

What inspired GiGi to go to space? “As a young cub, I was always drawn to math and science projects. After the gift of a telescope one summer, I felt connected to the stars in a way I never had before, and I knew STEAM studies were for me,” says GiGi in her blog. “Now as a full-time astronomer and aspiring astronaut, I am over the Moon to be part of the Ax-2 mission. After all, it takes a lot of heart and courage to be a space explorer, and I am ready for it.”

GiGi is a part of the historic Ax-2 mission and the Ax-2 crew who launched to space by way of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ax-2 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson and Pilot John Shoffner, both from the United States, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Fans of Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear can be part of this memorable moment with the newly released Axiom Space Bear wearing a next-generation spacesuit available exclusively online at www.buildabear.com/axiom and axiomspace.com.

Ax-2 Crew Docks to the International Space Station

Axiom Space’s Ax-2 crew docked to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, May 22, following a nearly 15-hour journey. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft rendezvoused with the ISS Harmony module at 9:12 a.m. EDT while traveling over Northeast Japan.  

The Ax-2 crew is the second all-private astronaut crew to travel to the ISS. The four-person, multinational crew lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:37 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21. 

Following pressurization and leak checks between the Dragon and space station hatches, the Ax-2 crew will join the ISS Expedition 69 crew already aboard the station.  

The crew is expected to stay aboard the space station for eight days as they complete a full itinerary of scientific research and outreach efforts.   

Follow #Ax2 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates.  

Ax-2 Crew First Check-in from Orbit

The Ax-2 astronauts did a quick check-in from the SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft during their journey to the International Space Station (ISS), a few hours after launching from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew shared a few of their first experiences of being in space.

The Dragon spacecraft is now anticipated to dock to the space-facing port of the ISS Harmony module around 9:16 a.m. on Monday, May 22. 

The Ax-2 webcast will resume on Monday, May 22, at 7:30 a.m. ET. Watch the crew arrive at the ISS live at axiomspace.com, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. The Ax-2 webcast will cover events as the crew docks to the ISS and is greeted by NASA’s Expedition 69 crew of Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg of NASA, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev for the welcome ceremony. This will begin their mission on the orbiting laboratory conducting science, education, and commercial activities.  

Follow #Ax2 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates.