Decoding Astronaut Numbers

Embarking on the path to becoming an astronaut requires perseverance, dedication, and a significant investment of time. It involves extensive training and preparation that can span several months to years. However, the official recognition as an astronaut and the assignment of an astronaut number is a process that varies across different organizations. Each entity has its distinct criteria and procedures for designating someone as an astronaut and assigning them a number.

NASA has its own unique criteria for designating astronauts. Over the years, NASA has selected a total of 360 people to train as astronaut candidates for its space missions. These candidates are chosen through a meticulous selection process, which includes a review of qualifications, interviews, and medical examinations. Once selected, these individuals become part of the astronaut class and are assigned their official astronaut numbers once they reach space.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also designates individuals as astronauts. To be awarded wings by the FAA, an astronaut must be employed by the company managing the launch and must have undergone training to be certified by the FAA as an astronaut. Additionally, they must have flown higher than 80 kilometers and demonstrated activities during flight that were essential to public safety or contributed to human spaceflight safety.

Transcending the Kármán line is a fundamental prerequisite for an individual to be officially designated as an astronaut. The Kármán line acts as a boundary in Earth’s atmosphere, distinguishing between space missions and aeronautical endeavors. This boundary is established by the international record-keeping entity, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), at an altitude of 100 kilometers (around 62 miles) above the mean sea level.

Upon crossing the Kármán line, an individual is formally accorded the title of astronaut. Notably, the United States employs a slightly different criterion, conferring the astronaut title to anyone who has surpassed an 80-kilometer boundary. This discrepancy becomes increasingly significant as we step into the era of private space travel. NASA, along with other U.S. organizations such as the FAA and the U.S. Air Force, generally uses a boundary 80 kilometers above Earth’s surface to officially recognize someone as an astronaut, which is slightly lower than the Kármán line.

On Jan. 20, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría awarded his fellow crewmates with the official astronaut pin, marking the crew’s formal commencement of becoming astronauts. López-Alegría presented his crewmates with their official astronaut pins, declaring Villadei to be the 666th, Gezeravcı the 676th and Wandt the 677th to go to space. According to NASA, López-Alegría was assigned astronaut number 341 during the STS-73 mission, which launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on Oct. 20, 1995. These numbers represent, in order, every person who has ever traveled to space.

Villadei became number 666 to account for his Virgin Galactic flight on Jun. 29, 2023 —this number includes the 11 new astronauts who traveled 80 kilometers above Earth’s surface between Villadei’s Virgin Galactic flight on Jun. 29, 2023, and the Ax-3 crew’s launch to the ISS on Jan. 18, 2024.

In addition, the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) is an international organization that brings together astronauts and cosmonauts from around the world, with a membership of over 400 individuals from 38 countries who have journeyed into space. A significant project of ASE is the upkeep of its comprehensive Registry of Space Travelers. This list is a record of everyone who has ever traveled to space and is continually updated as new individuals embark on space missions.

ASE has a Universal Astronaut Insignia, representing both suborbital and orbital missions. Astronauts receive a pin and are assigned a number to reflect if they completed a suborbital or orbital flight around the Earth. On the pin, the upward and downward chevrons, topped with a star of five points, signify the voyage to space and the subsequent return to our planet. The addition of a circular band denotes the accomplishment of an orbital flight.

ASE assigned Villadei with two astronaut numbers to represent his suborbital Virgin Galactic flight, number 60, and his orbital flight on Ax-3, number 609. During Ax-3, ASE assigned Gezeravcı number 610 and Wandt 611. During the STS-73 mission, López-Alegría became number 334, representing the orbital flight, in ASE’s Registry of Space Travelers.

Credit: Association of Space Explorers

ASE’s assignment of unique flight numbers to each astronaut is vital for maintaining an exhaustive and precise record of human spaceflight. It serves as an effective tool for organizing and referencing the extensive data associated with space exploration and is important for maintaining the historical record of human achievements in space.

Following the successful completion of the Ax-3 mission and their safe return to Earth, the Ax-3 crew was honored and recognized in a ceremonial pinning event. Here, they were awarded official astronaut wings, each adorned with their unique orbital flight numbers: López-Alegría (334), Villadei (609), Gezeravcı (610), and Wandt (611). This ceremony served as a fitting tribute to their remarkable journey and accomplishments during the Ax-3 mission.

The number an individual earns when becoming an astronaut serves as a testament to their hard work, dedication, scientific contributions, and pivotal role in propelling human space exploration. The Ax-3 astronauts have etched their names in the records of history, forever symbolizing a significant milestone in the era of commercial spaceflight. Their achievements will continue to inspire and illuminate the path for future missions.

Watch the Ax-3 Crew Return Press Conference

Ax-3 Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt (Left). Pilot Walter Villadei, Commander Michael López-Alegría, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı (Right)

Following their return to Earth after spending nearly 22 days in space and 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) shared their unique experiences and insights during a press conference on Feb. 27. During the event, the Ax-3 crew highlighted the achievements of the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS.

In an historic venture, three countries — Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) — united for Ax-3 as the first commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts. The Ax-3 crew includes Commander Michael López-Alegría (U.S. and Spain), Pilot Walter Villadei (Italian Air Force), and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı (Türkiye) and Marcus Wandt (Sweden and ESA).  

Watch the press conference below.

Axiom Space Astronaut Missions are Building Human Experience, Opportunity in LEO

Axiom Mission 1 crew (left), Axiom Mission 2 crew (top right), Axiom Mission 3 crew (bottom right)

Axiom Space’s inaugural trio of commercial space missions to the International Space Station (ISS) are a shining example of global progress, international collaboration, and the beginning of the LEO economy in space. These missions have showcased the diverse potential of human spaceflight in the age of commercial space exploration, with crews representing eight different nations, and, for the first time on Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), the European Space Agency (ESA). Over the course of these missions, crewmembers completed over 75 outreach engagements and media events and conducted over 105 research-related activities with more than 50 research partners from around the world.

The first three Axiom Space missions to the ISS included astronauts from the U.S., Spain, Israel, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden with the support of ESA. In addition, Axiom Space signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ESA and the UK Space Agency last year, setting the stage for future commercial opportunities in human spaceflight.

"As the commercial space industry's only full-service orbital mission provider, Axiom Space is deeply invested in making space more accessible and affordable,” said Tejpaul Bhatia, Chief Revenue Officer, Axiom Space . “Our mission, fueled by our own investments, is opening up low-Earth orbit to both national and private astronauts, and is developing sustainable business models that mitigate the current high costs of human spaceflight. Despite the complexities of those costs, our efforts are grounded in strategic collaborations that not only help determine pricing but also foster innovation and meaningful science in microgravity.

“The journey to space, currently priced in the mid-$60-million range per seat for a 10-day mission, is part of our broader vision to transform LEO into a global marketplace of discovery and innovation,” explained Bhatia. “While the future market dynamics are uncertain, our dedication remains fixed on creating value by expanding access and supporting cutting-edge research that has the potential to enhance life on Earth and beyond. At Axiom Space, we're doing much more than executing missions on board the ISS; we're building the economic foundation for a future where space is open for business, promising benefits for all of humanity."

Each Axiom Space astronaut mission lays the groundwork for the on-orbit construction and operation of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station, which is poised to serve customers around the world. These missions are a pathway to developing the essential skills and integration needed to spearhead human spaceflight activities in LEO. The missions also foster important international relationships, with traditional and non-traditional industries, which will broaden the range of opportunities and develop new markets.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Axiom Space to Hold Ax-3 Crew Press Conference Following Return from Space Station

Following their return to Earth after spending nearly 22 days in space and 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) are set to share their unique experiences and insights during a press conference on Feb. 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. CT. This event will highlight the achievements of the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS.

In an historic venture, three countries — Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden through the European Space Agency (ESA) — united for Ax-3 as the first commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts. The Ax-3 crew includes Commander Michael López-Alegría (U.S. and Spain), Pilot Walter Villadei (Italian Air Force), and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı (Türkiye) and Marcus Wandt (Sweden and ESA).

During the mission, the Ax-3 crew lived and worked aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting 54 different experiments and 28 media and outreach engagements. In addition, data collected on the ground before and after the mission as well as on orbit will improve understanding of human physiology on Earth and in microgravity. This human research will help prepare for longer-duration missions off the planet.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Ax-3 crew aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 18 at 3:49 p.m. CT. After undocking from the ISS on Feb. 7, the Ax-3 crew safely splashed down off the coast of Florida on Feb. 9 at 7:30 a.m. CT.

AX-3 CREW RETURN PRESS CONFERENCE
Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 10:00am CT

Participants include:

• Michael López-Alegría, Ax-3 Commander, Axiom Space, U.S. and Spain

• Walter Villadei, Ax-3 Pilot, Italian Air Force

• Alper Gezeravcı, Ax-3 Mission Specialist, Türkiye

• Marcus Wandt, Ax-3 Mission Specialist, ESA/Sweden

Media must register to participate and RSVP by 12:00pm CT on Feb. 26. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the press conference.

Register here for the Ax-3 crew return press conference: https://axiomspace.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1prafxstT8WkCDk72IlREA

Axiom Space Joins Space Industry Leaders at the House Science Space and Technology Committee Hearing

Today, Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Chief Government and External Relations Officer of Axiom Space, testified in a critical hearing in front of the House Science Space and Technology Committee – “ISS and Beyond: The Present and Future of American Low-Earth Orbit Activities” – to address the importance of the United States maintaining a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit.

Watch the testimony here and read the written testimony of Dr. Dittmar here.

Axiom Space Announces Key Milestone with Artist, Photographer Satoshi Takamatsu

Axiom Space has taken a significant step forward in its collaboration with an artist and photographer Satoshi Takamatsu, representing art collective “WE,” signing an agreement to reserve him a seat on a future long-duration human spaceflight mission.

(Left to right) Tejpaul Bhatia, Axiom Space Chief Revenue Office and Satoshi Takamatsu, representing art collective “WE”. (Credit: Axiom Space)

The reservation came with a personal deposit and a commitment from Takamatsu to raise the additional funds needed to secure his seat with commercial support from key industry partners. As part of the agreement, Takamatsu plans to focus his contributions to the mission on the arts – photography to be exact.  

"The progress made by photography, videography, and Virtual Reality (VR) technology makes it possible to replicate reality,” said Takamatsu. “It is now possible to shoot and reproduce imagery with standards that go beyond the limitations of the human eye. In this mission, I envision shooting the Earth in three different ways – 300 megapixels for still photography, 24K for videography, and 360 VR videography for HMD beyond 60PPD. In addition, these images could be upscaled to super-resolution using AI-based technology.

"Besides resolution,” he added, “we also need to look at dynamic range, frame rate, color range, and depth to recreate an amount of visual data that is as close to reality as possible."

Takamatsu’s reservation not only signifies a potential shift from STEM- to STEAM-focused on-orbit missions but also how private astronauts can shed new light on the world from space with a sharper focus and a different perspective.

"People's minds change when they look back at this planet from space,” explained Takamatsu. “They look beyond nationality, ethnicity, or religion. They intuit the importance of sustainability and hope for peace on Earth. This phenomenon is called the ‘Overview Effect.’ Out of the millions of photographs and videos taken of Earth from Space, none of them have truly been able to replicate this ‘Overview Effect,’ as there has never been a mission designed with that objective in mind. This is the gift I wish to give to humanity."

Tejpaul Bhatia, Axiom Space Chief Revenue Officer, offered that Axiom Space is looking forward to working with Satoshi on a future mission. He said, “With this agreement as the initial foundation, we will work together to build a comprehensive mission plan that supports an imagery-centered commercial astronaut effort on orbit for the benefit of all.”

About Axiom Space
Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit, which will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

About Satoshi Takamatsu

Born in 1963, artist and photographer. After graduating from the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Tsukuba, Takamatsu joined Dentsu, the largest advertising agency in Japan. In 2005, he founded GROUD, a creative agency, and became CEO and Chief Creative Officer. Takamatsu has won many international advertising awards, including Gold Lions at the Cannes Advertising Festival. In 2002, he organized public viewings of the World Cup at the Tokyo National Stadium, the first of its kind to be officially endorsed by FIFA. He was also the first in the world to organize the filming of a TV commercial on the International Space Station for a Japanese beverage brand in 2001. Other commercials filmed in space include "No Borders," with an anti-war theme, and "Freedom," with themes of planetary sustainability and opposition to a future-controlled society, both for the Cup Noodles brand. Although they were product advertisements, these works conveyed strong social messages. Takamatsu announced his retirement from the advertising industry in 2015. He then spent eight months in Star City, Russia, undergoing cosmonaut training. He is currently a representative of Space Films and works as a photographer and artist. In 2014, Takamatsu presented his works at the exhibition "Mission [SPACE x ART] - Beyond Cosmologies" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.  In 2020, he organized his personal exhibition "Failure". In 2022, he founded an art collective WE for the space project. For more information, please contact WE PR team at: we-pr@vectorinc.co.jp

Ax-3 Astronauts Splashdown, Completing First All-European Commercial Astronaut Mission to ISS

A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Ax-3 crew splashed down off the coast of Daytona, FL on Feb. 9.

After undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, Feb. 7, the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew safely splashed down off the coast of Florida aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 9, 2024. The Ax-3 crew’s return officially concludes the first all-European commercial astronaut mission and Axiom Space’s third crewed mission to the ISS.

The Ax-3 crewmembers include Commander Michael López-Alegría of the U.S. and Spain, Pilot Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı of Türkiye and Marcus Wandt of Sweden and the European Space Agency (ESA).

“The successful return of our Ax-3 astronauts signifies more than just the completion of a human spaceflight mission; it marks a pivotal moment in commercial space exploration and significant milestone for Europe’s pursuits in low-Earth orbit,” said Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini. “Axiom Space’s first three commercial missions to the ISS are a testament to international advancement in space, with diverse crews representing eight nations, as well as — for the first time on Ax-3 — the European Space Agency. The success of these missions is an important step along our journey toward Axiom Station, underscoring our continuous efforts to expand access to low-Earth orbit.”

Ax-3 crewmembers Marcus Wandt (left), Walter Villadei, Micheal López Alegrīa, and Alper Gezeravcı (right) wave hello after the Dragon hatch opened on Recovery boat Shannon.

During their 18-day mission docked to the ISS, the Ax-3 crew lived and worked aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting more than 30 different experiments and more than 50 outreach engagements. Human research data collected on the ground before and after the mission, as well as in flight, will improve understanding of human physiology on Earth and in microgravity.

Ax-3 demonstrates that the European community of space-faring nations are pioneers in the burgeoning commercial space industry. The crew and the governments they represent are taking bold steps into a new era of leadership in low-Earth orbit.

Ax-3 celebrates many firsts: it was the first commercial spaceflight mission comprised of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts; Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı became the first-ever Turkish astronaut; and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt was the first ESA project astronaut to fly on a commercial space mission.

Ax-3 is the third in a series of proposed Axiom Space human spaceflight missions, marking a critical milestone toward the realization of Axiom Station — the world’s first commercial space station.

Axiom Space is playing an important role in offering human spaceflight opportunities to the larger international community. These missions are enabling governments, individuals, researchers, academic institutions, and organizations across the world to conduct comprehensive scientific research, technology demonstrations, and outreach engagements in the unique environment of microgravity.

Axiom Space’s first three missions to the ISS included crewmembers from the U.S., Spain, Israel, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden, with the support of ESA. In addition, last year, Axiom Space signed an MOU with ESA and the UK Space Agency to explore future human spaceflight opportunities.

Axiom Space plans to launch its fourth mission, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), to the ISS no earlier than October 2024 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #22

Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt are homebound! 

After approximately 435 hours, 18 days, and 288 orbits around Earth covering around 7.6 million miles, the Ax-3 astronauts’ time aboard the space station came to an end. Yesterday, the crew undocked from the International Space Station at 9:20 a.m. ET to begin their journey home, carrying with them a lifetime of unforgettable memories and invaluable scientific data.

After a 47-hour journey back to Earth, the astronauts are targeted to splashdown off the coast of Florida tomorrow around 8:30 a.m. ET, with coverage beginning at 7:25 a.m. ET. Updates and details on splashdown can be found here.

Ax-3 celebrates many firsts: it was the first commercial spaceflight mission comprised of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts; Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı became the first-ever Turkish astronaut; and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt was the first ESA project astronaut to fly on a commercial space mission.

Ax-3 is the third in a series of proposed Axiom Space human spaceflight missions, marking a critical milestone toward the realization of Axiom Station — the world’s first commercial space station.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #21

After 18 days docked to the International Space Station (ISS), completing about 288 orbits around the Earth, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt are homebound!

Aboard a SpaceX Dragon, the Ax-3 crew undocked from the ISS early this morning at 9:20 a.m. ET to begin their 47-hour journey back to Earth. The astronauts are targeted to splashdown off the coast of Florida on Feb. 9 around 8:30 a.m. ET, with coverage beginning at 7:25 a.m. ET. Updates and details on splashdown can be found here.

During the mission, the Ax-3 astronauts successfully completed a total of 56 research activities — to include 39 conducted aboard the space station — focusing on life, physical and Earth science, as well as human research and technology demonstrations. The crew also conducted 28 media and outreach engagements with news outlets, government officials, organizations, and important stakeholders from their countries. Of those, nine engagements focused on educating and inspiring hundreds of students from around the world.

Prior to departing from the ISS, MLA participated in a final mission update and answered questions from Axiom Space employees and young children eager to hear about the crew’s experience aboard the space station and journey in space. Click here to watch.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #20

Crew Status

Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt have been on the International Space Station (ISS) for 17 full days. 

Ax-3 is targeted to undock from the ISS no earlier than Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 9:05 a.m. ET pending weather at the splashdown locations. Updates on crew return coverage can be found here. 

As the Ax-3 crew waits to depart from the space station, they dedicated time to recording videos for outreach engagements and captured payload imagery. They also gathered more data for their research projects. 

Research

Villadei completed the Italian Space Operations Centre (ISOC) technology demonstration. The ISOC system provides an updated space object catalogue with state-of-the-art algorithms to detect space-related events (such as collisions). The ISOC was operated in space for the first time during the Ax-3 mission.

In addition, Villadei prepared Barilla Ready Made Pasta and then completed a final questionnaire to develop a broader range of tasty foods in space for future space explorers.

Wandt took photos in the cupola for the Thor-Davis project, which investigates lightning activity at the top of thunderstorm clouds. He completed another Orbital Architecture assessment with the fNIRS headcap to document his cognitive performance, stress levels, and stress recovery rate. And he also wore the Bone Health Actibelt Beltware throughout the day and downlinked data to study protracted bone loss after short-duration spaceflight. 

Outreach

Villadei recorded an outreach video discussing the importance of space exploration and Italy's role in space. Villadei and Gezeravcı also recorded videos on how to brush your teeth in space.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #19

Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt have now been on the International Space Station (ISS) for 16 full days. 

Ax-3 is now targeted to undock from the ISS no earlier than Tuesday, February 6 at 8:05 a.m. CT. Mission managers from Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA are continuing to monitor weather conditions at the splashdown site off the coast of Florida. Updates on crew return coverage can be found here.  

MLA transferred the emergency equipment out of Dragon and placed it back into the ISS. He also transferred the POLAR refrigerator, Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator (MERLIN) cold stowage, and Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) tank into Dragon to prepare for undocking.

Villadei, Gezeravcı, and Wandt transferred cargo into Dragon to complete packing for undocking. 

MLA supported Gezeravcı in filming an additional video for a documentary, which will highlight the first Turkish astronaut. 

Villadei and Gezeravcı also recorded a video on daily activities aboard the space station.

Finally, after the mission, Villadei and MLA will have completed the Italian Air Force-led Endothelial Function experiment. The crew trained on-ground and pre-flight to gather ultrasound acquisitions and blood draws, which will be compared with those taken before launch and after re-entry. This will add a new layer of knowledge about the interaction between humans and the microgravity environment. It will offer a better understanding of the physiology of endothelium dysfunction, as a preclinical marker of future cardiovascular disease and as an indicator of artery health in long-duration space missions.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #18

Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt have now been on the International Space Station (ISS) for 15 full days. The crew had another off-duty day as they await departure from the space station. The astronauts had conferences with their family and some personal time to capture on-orbit imagery. 

Ax-3 is now targeted to undock from the ISS no earlier than Tuesday, February 6, at 8:05 a.m. CT. Mission managers from Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA are continuing to monitor weather conditions at the splashdown site off the coast of Florida. Updates on crew return coverage can be found here.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #17

Crew Status

Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt have now been on the International Space Station (ISS) for 14 full days. Unfavorable weather prevented the crew’s undocking and return to Earth earlier today, so they enjoyed some time off duty.

Ax-3 is now targeted to undock from the ISS no earlier than Tuesday, Feb. 6. Mission managers from Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA are continuing to monitor weather conditions at the splashdown site off the coast of Florida. Updates on crew return coverage can be found here when dates and times are confirmed.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #16

Crew Status

Today, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt completed their thirteenth full day (flight day 16) on the International Space Station (ISS).

Highlights of the Day

The Ax-3 crew is preparing for their departure from the ISS and focused on readying the Dragon for return to Earth, as well as tending to housekeeping activities to clean up after their two-week stay. As for packing, the crew is collecting payloads, hardware, and personal items. The crew also completed a departure conference with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX on upcoming dynamic operations for undocking. 

The Ax-3 astronauts are scheduled to undock no earlier than Feb. 3 at 6:05 a.m. ET from the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module to begin the journey home in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and splashdown off the coast of Florida. Mission managers from Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA are monitoring weather conditions at the splashdown site off the coast of Florida. Click here for updates on crew return coverage.

Research

MLA transferred emergency equipment from the Dragon back into the ISS. He also uninstalled the Polar and Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator (MERLIN) from the ISS Express Rack and installed them in Dragon. 

Wandt completed the final Orbital Architecture assessments with the fNIRS headcap to document his cognitive performance, stress levels, and stress recovery rate.

The Ax-3 crew successfully completed more than 30 research projects during their time on the ISS, to include the first time studying metastatic breast cancer organoids and first demonstration of conjunction analysis software for tracking space debris from the ISS.

Media

The Ax-3 crew was joined by the NASA Expedition 70 crew for a farewell ceremony. Watch the event below.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Watch Coverage of Ax-3 Crew Departure from Space Station

Updated: February 7, 2023, 1:27 p.m. ET

Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX will provide live joint coverage of the undocking and departure of the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) before the crew returns to Earth.

Coverage of the Ax-3 return will include three separate segments — hatch closure, undocking, and splashdown. All segments will be available at AxiomSpace.com.  

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-3 astronauts.

Ax-3 crewmembers Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, and Mission Specialists Alper Gezeravcı and Marcus Wandt will have spent 18 days docked to the ISS and 20 total days of spaceflight once they return to Earth. During their time aboard the space station, the Ax-3 crew conducted a diverse array of over 30 experiments, spanning various fields of biology and technology, and participated in over 50 outreach engagements.

Undocking and departure coverage for Ax-3 is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on operations).

Wednesday, Feb. 7
7:00 a.m. ET – Coverage for hatch closure begins (Axiom Space, NASA)
7:25 a.m. ET – Hatch closure
9:00 a.m. ET – Undocking coverage begins (Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX)
9:20 a.m. ET – Undocking

Friday, Feb. 9
7:25 a.m. ET – Coverage for splashdown begins (Axiom Space, SpaceX)
8:30 a.m. ET – Splashdown

Follow along for mission updates with #Ax3 on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and on our website.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #15

Crew Status

Today, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt completed their 12th full day (flight day 15) on the International Space Station (ISS).

Highlights of the Day

The Ax-3 astronauts are starting to prepare for their departure from the space station. The crew had a conference call with the Axiom Space Cargo team to discuss their upcoming pack activities for departure. Mission managers from Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA are monitoring weather conditions at the splashdown site off the coast of Florida.

Research

MLA conducted experiment transfer from the Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer (MELFI), Glacier, and Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL) to Polars stowage facilities for Ax-3 return. MLA also supported Villadei in experiment transfer between the SABL and the Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubator (MERLIN) cold stowage.

Villadei and Gezeravcı completed the first Ax-3 Dragon packing activities to prepare for undocking.

MLA, Villadei, and Gezeravcı completed the final audio samples for the Vokalkord experiment.

Wandt completed the AstroBit experiment, which contains sensors for acceleration, magnetic field strength, and light. This ESA-led activity is an educational project that helps students understand physics, as well as learn more about computer programming, digital skills development, and critical thinking. 

Outreach

Wandt recorded an outreach video on how food is prepared, and Gezeravcı recorded a video on electronics in space.

Gezeravcı participated in another Q&A with students from schools affected by the recent earthquakes in Türkiye.

Media

Tomorrow at 8:50 a.m. CT, the Ax-3 crew will be joined by the NASA Expedition 70 crew for a farewell ceremony. The event will be broadcast live on Axiomspace.com and NASA TV.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #14

Crew Status

Today, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt completed their 11th full day (flight day 14) on the International Space Station (ISS).

Highlights of the Day

The Ax-3 crew is making final rounds to complete their research and science experiments and preparing payloads for return to Earth. They also spent time conducting their last outreach engagements.

Research

MLA assisted the NASA Expedition 70 crew with packing hardware equipment, which will return with the Ax-3 crew in the Dragon spacecraft.

MLA supported Gezeravcı with the second session of the microgravity effects on metal particles dynamics in fluids (gMETAL) project, which investigates how the lack of gravity impacts mixing solid particles in a gas (two-phase mixture formation) within a contained environment. 

In addition, MLA helped Gezeravcı with a video recording showing meal preparation and consumption.

Today was Villadei’s turn to provide an audio sample for the Vokalkord experiment, which uses an artificial intelligence system to detect over 70 types of disease by analyzing respiratory, speaking, and cough sounds. 

Villadei inserted Beta Amyloid Aggregation samples into the Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for preservation. This project investigates the aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins, which are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease).

Villadei also executed the Italian Space Operations Centre (ISOC) technology demonstration to perform an ISS space debris conjunction analysis and verify potential space weather alerts. The ISOC system provides an updated space object catalogue with state-of-the-art algorithms to detect space-related events (such as collisions). The ISOC was operated in space for the first time during the Ax-3 mission.

Gezeravcı took photographs to track the progress of algae samples and then placed them into the Glacier for cryogenic preservation. This project, called Algalspace, investigates the survival and growth of algae in space. 

Wandt spent the day working on CIMON to test the Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) system functionalities and chat capabilities of this free-flying AI- powered crew companion. 

Wandt completed another Orbital Architecture assessment with the fNIRS headcap to document his cognitive performance, stress levels, and stress recovery rate. 

Wandt also completed another virtual reality on board training session.

Outreach

Gezeravcı participated in a Q&A with kindergarten and nursery school children from Türkiye’s capital, Ankara.

Villadei spoke to Italian high school teachers and students, research and development representatives, and other authorities during an outreach event. He highlighted Ax-3 mission experiments, daily activities aboard the space station, and recognized stakeholders in relation to the experiments.

Tomorrow, Gezeravcı will participate in another Q&A with students from schools affected by the recent earthquake in Türkiye.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #13

Crew Status

Today, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt completed their 10th full day (flight day 13) on the International Space Station (ISS).

Highlights of the Day

The Ax-3 crew completed multiple outreach engagements and took images to support commercial activities. The crew also completed a variety of ISS National Lab-sponsored projects.

Research

Villadei wore the Smart FlightSuit 2 (SFS2) again to test the comfort and behavior of the suit's fabrics in space, function of the inbuilt sensors, and utility of the suit in microgravity. MLA took images to document Villadei’s use of the suit.

Villadei prepared Barilla Ready Made Pasta and then completed a questionnaire to develop a broader range of tasty foods in space for future space explorers.

Gezeravcı inserted the Extremophyte CRISPR plant samples from yesterday’s harvest into the Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for cryogenic preservation.

MLA supported Gezeravcı in removing 12 microalgae samples from the experiment cube to prepare for their return to Earth. The data generated from the UzMan experiment will be used to advance the development of microalgal life support systems for future space missions.

Gezeravcı provided another audio sample for the Vokalkord experiment, which uses an artificial intelligence system to detect over 70 types of disease by analyzing respiratory, speaking, and cough sounds.

Wandt completed one of the many Orbital Architecture assessments with the fNIRS headcap to document his cognitive performance, stress levels, and stress recovery rate. Cortivision, the company that created the fNIRS headcap, is is developing innovative applications to analyze brain waves in space and on Earth. Learn more about this Ax-3 study from Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low and Cortivision Chief Operating Officer Wojciech Broniatowski, here.

Wandt also inserted the Furnace Calibration Cartridge into the Material Science Laboratory, which is used for basic materials research in microgravity (e.g., metals, alloys, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, crystals, and glasses). 

Outreach

Villadei participated in a live outreach engagement with representatives from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) along with many teachers and students in Italy. During the event, he highlighted the ASI-led experiments and research activities on the ISS and participated in a Q&A. Watch the event, here.

Villadei recorded a video to explain and showcase how microgravity affects the shape of water and stability of spinning objects in space.

Gezeravcı also did another outreach event with high school students in Türkiye.

Tomorrow, Gezeravcı will participate in a Q&A with kindergarten and nursery school children from Türkiye’s capital, Ankara.

Villadei will speak to Italian high school teachers and students, research and development representatives, and other authorities during an outreach event. He will highlight Ax-3 mission experiments, daily activities aboard the space station, and will recognize stakeholders in relation to the experiments.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #12

Crew Status

Today, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt completed their ninth full day (flight day 12) on the International Space Station (ISS).

Highlights of the Day

The Ax-3 crew is in the second half of their mission on the ISS and are starting to wrap up and complete many of the research projects and experiments they have been charged to execute. The astronauts are also actively engaging with schools, organizations, and media located in their regions.

Research

As part of the Extremophyte Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) project, Gezeravcı worked in the Life Sciences Glovebox to harvest and preserve plant samples for ground return. He also took photographs of algae samples for the Algalspace study and then inserted them into the Glacier freezer for cryogenic preservation.

Gezeravcı provided audio samples for the Vokalkord experiment, which uses an artificial intelligence system to detect over 70 types of disease by analyzing respiratory, speaking, and cough sounds. 

Wandt completed another Orbital Architecture assessment with the fNIRS headcap to document his cognitive performance, stress levels, and stress recovery rate.

Outreach

Today, MLA reunited and spoke with his Ax-1 crewmates Larry Connor, Eytan Stibbe, and Mark Pathy. 

Villadei conducted an outreach event with children and doctors from a pediatric hospital in Italy. He discussed life on the ISS and answered questions from the participants.

Tomorrow at 3:25 a.m. CT, Villadei will participate in a live outreach engagement with representatives from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) along with teachers and students in Italy. During the event, he will highlight the ASI-led experiments and research activities on the ISS and participate in a Q&A. Watch the event live, here.

 Gezeravcı will do another outreach event with high school students in Türkiye.

Media

The Ax-3 crew participated in an on-orbit science briefing with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low. The crew provided an update on the microgravity research, science experiments, and technology demonstrations they have been conducting while on the space station. Watch the event, here.

Ax-3 Mission Update Flight Day #11

Crew Status

Today, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Walter Villadei, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, and Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt completed their eighth full day (flight day 11) on the International Space Station (ISS).

Highlights of the Day

The Ax-3 crew remained busy conducting research, media events, and outreach engagements.

Research

MLA, Villadei, and Gezeravcı provided audio samples for the Vokalkordexperiment, which uses an artificial intelligence system to detect over 70 types of disease by analyzing respiratory, speaking, and cough sounds. Testing the tool in microgravity will allow researchers to continue validating the system as an easy-to-use telemedicine option that could be used in the future to monitor the health of astronauts on future missions. 

Villadei continued conducting technology demonstrations with the Smart Flight Suit 2 (SFS2) to test the comfort and behavior of the suit's fabrics in space, function of the inbuilt sensors, and utility of the suit in microgravity. 

Villadei also completed microscope imaging of cancer cell cultures for the Cancer in LEO project, which studies tumor organoids in microgravity with the goal to identify early warning signs of cancer for prediction and prevention of disease.

Gezeravcı continued his daily documentation of plant samples for the Extremophyte Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) project and took photographs of algae samples for the Algalspacestudy. 

Wandt activated an artificial intelligence powered, free-flying companion, called CIMON, which can fly independently through the ISS to support crew as they perform tasks and can respond to verbal commands.

Outreach

MLA participated in an outreach event with Star Trek actress Melissa Navia to discuss the importance of space travel and developments in commercial space. Watch the event, here.

Gezeravcı participated in an interview with Türkiye’s global news agency, Turkish Radio and Television Corporation/Anadolu Agency. 

Tomorrow, MLA will reunite and speak with his Ax-1 crewmates Larry Connor, Eytan Stibbe, and Mark Pathy. 

Villadei will conduct an outreach event with children and doctors from a pediatric hospital in Italy. He will discuss life on the ISS and answer questions from the children.

Media

Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. CT, the Ax-3 crew will participate in an on-orbit science briefing with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low. The crew will provide an update on the microgravity research, science experiments, and technology demonstrations they have been conducting while on the space station. Watch the event live, here.