Private Astronaut Missions to the ISS: SpaceX and Axiom Space Set for January Launch

Axiom Space is set to launch its third private astronaut mission, Ax-3, to the International Space Station (ISS) on January 9, 2024, using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. The mission will carry four commercial astronauts, including former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría as the commander. Axiom Space hopes that future private astronaut missions will become cheaper as SpaceX improves its operations and launch costs decrease. Axiom is also planning to attach private modules to the ISS starting in 2026, with the goal of eventually creating a free-flying space station.