The International Space Station (ISS) has been busy with resupply missions, including Cygnus NG-20 and Progress MS-26, as well as the departure of Axiom Mission 3. The Cygnus NG-20 mission brought new experiments and supplies to the ISS, while Axiom Mission 3 marked the first all-European commercial crew returning to Earth. Progress MS-26 arrived at the ISS with fuel, oxygen, and supplies. Additionally, upcoming SpaceX Crew-8 mission is set to launch on March 3, continuing the station's active schedule of missions and experiments.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule from the Axiom Mission 3 splashed down off the Florida coast, causing a sonic boom as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. The mission, which included the first all-European commercial astronaut crew to the ISS, returned with over 550 pounds of science and supplies, including NASA experiments and hardware.
NASA and SpaceX are preparing for the return of the Axiom Mission 3 crew, who will undock from the International Space Station on February 5 and splash down off the Florida coast later that evening. The crew, consisting of members from Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, has spent 14 days conducting research experiments at the space station. The event will be streamed on NASA and SpaceX's social media, and a new mission, Crew-8, is scheduled for launch to the International Space Station later this month.
NASA will broadcast the departure of the Axiom Mission 3 private astronaut flight from the International Space Station as the crew prepares to return to Earth. The four-member crew is set to undock from the station's Harmony module in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and splash down off the coast of Florida. The coverage will be available on various platforms, and the mission aims to foster a commercial market in low Earth orbit, expanding human spaceflight opportunities and access to the International Space Station.
The Axiom Mission 3 crew joined the International Space Station (ISS), making it the first all-European crewed mission to the Station, bringing the total number of astronauts aboard to 11. The crew will conduct over 30 science and research experiments in microgravity before returning to Earth. Additionally, various experiments are being conducted to prepare for longer-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, including studies on plant growth, microbial environment, and the effects of microgravity on neurodegenerative diseases. The crew is also testing new technologies, such as the Smart Flight Suit 2, and participating in maintenance tasks and outreach projects.
A four-man crew, including Turkey's first astronaut, arrived at the International Space Station for a two-week stay as part of the Axiom Mission 3, a commercial mission arranged by Axiom Space. The crew, launched by SpaceX, will conduct over 30 scientific experiments focusing on the effects of spaceflight on human health and disease. Axiom, a company specializing in commercial spaceflight, charges at least $55 million per seat for its services and is also involved in building a commercial space station to replace the ISS, which NASA expects to retire around 2030.
