Ax-2 Dragon

Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) will be Axiom Space’s second all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, taking another step toward the proposed Axiom Station, a planned successor to the ISS.

The four-person Axiom Space crew will fly to space in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft atop its Falcon 9 rocket to participate in a 10-day mission, including 8 days of working and living on the orbiting laboratory to implement a full mission manifest of science, outreach, and commercial activities.

Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and ISS commander will lead the privately funded mission.

Aviator John Shoffner of Knoxville, Tennessee, will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Dragon Vehicle Statistics

Total launches: 41

Total reflights: 18

Visits to the ISS: 36

Ax-2 Mission Investigations

DNA nanotherapeutics in collaboration with the University of Connecticut, Eascra Biotech, and Advanced Solutions Life Sciences (ASLS)

DNA-inspired Janus-based nanomaterials are biologically inspired nanotubes that can be used for therapeutic mRNA delivery or other therapeutics at room temperature and as a first-in-kind injectable scaffold for cartilage repair. This project will leverage microgravity to optimize the assembly of DNA-based nanomaterials for multiple therapeutic uses and ultimately develop standards for in-space manufacturing of nanomaterials for a wide range of therapeutic applications. Axiom Space is contributing to the NASA-funded In-Space Production Applications project through the Ax-2 mission.

Stellar stem cells in collaboration with the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute at Cedars-Sinai

This project seeks insights into the impact of microgravity on producing stem cells and stem cell-derived products in space. Using space to evaluate the steps used in terrestrial manufacturing to reprogram skin cells (fibroblasts) into stem cells capable of producing a variety of tissue types (heart, brain, and blood), could support regenerative medicine uses on Earth. Axiom Space is contributing to the NASA-funded In-Space Production Applications project through the Ax-2 mission.

Cancer in low-Earth orbit in collaboration with Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego

As a follow-on project flown on Ax-1 (Modeling Tumor Organoids), this effort will expand the tumor organoid model to include triple-negative breast cancer cells in order to study immune dysfunction and drug challenge with countermeasures for ADAR1-fueled cancer proliferation and immune evasion: fedratinib and rebecsinib, for the further development of stem cell models that can help predict and prevent cancer. These models can be tools for the detection of therapies for pre-cancer, cancer, and a variety of other diseases on Earth. This project is part of the expanded Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space.

Space tissue and regeneration in collaboration with Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the RegenMed Development Organization (ReMDO)

Bioengineered liver and kidney tissue constructs will be sent to space to assess the impact of microgravity on vascularization of thick tissues. If successful, this platform technology and approach could lead to the in-space bioengineering of ‘building blocks’ of tissue that can serve as a bridge to transplants in patients awaiting a limited supply of donor organs. This project is part of the Axiom Space collaboration with Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the ReMDO to develop an In-Space Biomanufacturing Hub for regenerative medicine.

Space hematopoietic stem cell aging in collaboration with Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego

In this project, the activity of DNA and RNA-editing enzymes involved in mutations that may be related to development of immune dysfunction-related disease states and cancer will be evaluated by analyzing blood samples taken from the crew before, during, and after spaceflight. This will help better understand changes in editing activity of these enzymes in blood stem cells due to spaceflight. This project is part of the expanded Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Reseach (ISSCOR) collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space.

mRNA response and stability in Space in collaboration with King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Saudi Space Commission (SSC)

The set of experiments investigates the inflammatory response of human immune cells in microgravity, specifically the changes in mRNA decay, a process that can turn inflammation off. Moreover, response to therapy is mimicked by utilizing the same cellular model. The crew will take RNA samples for analysis on the ground, where the investigators will monitor RNA expression patterns, and excitedly thousands of mRNA half-lives will be measured. Results could contribute to a better understanding of space health and uncover biomarkers or potential therapies for inflammatory diseases in both Space and Earth. The project is funded by SSC, where one of their astronauts will perform the experiments at the ISS.

Nebula human research biosamples and biodata in collaboration with Nebula Research & Development Company, Keele University, and Weill Cornell Medicine

This portfolio of projects 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. Projects utilizing novel neuroscience tools include measuring blood flow to the brain and the brain’s electrical activity, assessing intracranial pressure by non-invasive assessment of the pupil of the eye, and monitoring changes in the optic nerve over time. Improved monitoring of neurological health may help make spaceflight safer in the future and allow for the development of rapid, non-invasive monitoring, as well as early interventions and the development of countermeasures. Blood and bio-sample specimens will also be taken to examine multi-omic biomarkers related to spaceflight and also to map changes in the length, structure, and epigenetics of chromosomes and telomeres. This project is in collaboration with the Saudi Space Commission.

TRISH essential measures

The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) is developing a battery of tests to be completed by the crew that will inform how commercial spaceflight crew members adapt to microgravity and how countermeasures can be developed to keep crew healthy and enable peak performance during missions. This battery of tests will include physical assessments, questionnaires, taking biological samples from the crew, and wearing devices that sense and measure physiological responses to spaceflight. The tests will be analyzed to determine how quickly and how well crew adapt to moving in space, study how the eye changes during spaceflight, how well the crew can perform cognitively demanding tasks, and what changes the body undergoes in microgravity. Measurements will be added to TRISH’s EXPAND (Enhancing eXploration Platforms and ANalog Definition) program, which seeks to increase understanding of human health and performance through data collected from commercial spaceflight participants.

Gravity loading countermeasure in collaboration with MIT

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 and mitigate some of the physiological effects of microgravity, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes. This 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. The purpose of this study is to characterize the Skinsuit and its physiological effects on a short-duration low-Earth orbit mission.

Multifunctional shielding polymer demo in collaboration with Cosmic Shielding Corporation

A newly developed polymer nanocomposite, commercially known as Plasteel, is being tested for its ability to protect against space radiation, which consists of heavy charged particles and secondary photons, electrons, and neutrons. During the Ax-2 mission, the newly developed nanocomposite will be tested in the internal radiation environment of the ISS to validate the shielding ability of the material for both electronics and future astronauts. CSC's Plasteel has been tested at particle accelerator facilities on Earth, and this mission will represent the first major on-orbit demonstration of the technology.

Cloud seeding in microgravity in collaboration with King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Space Commission, and Nanoracks

Cloud seeding is the process of artificially generating rain by implanting clouds with particles such as silver iodide (AgI) crystals. Cloud seeding has been adopted by many countries to increase precipitation in areas suffering from droughts. In this experiment, cloud seeding will be examined for the first time in space under microgravity conditions. Moist air and AgI crystals will be mixed in a reaction chamber to examine the possibility of nucleation, where water vapor condenses on AgI crystals to form water droplets. The outcome of this experiment will help develop weather control technology to generate artificial rain in future human settlements on the Moon and Mars.

Imaging of Lightning and Nighttime Electrical Phenomena from Space (ILAN-ES) in collaboration with the Rakia Mission

This night-time experiment will image thunderstorms, lightning, and transient luminous events (TLEs) known as sprites, blue jets, and elves. These electrical phenomena occur at high altitudes above thunderstorms and are a marker of severe weather and extremely powerful lightning, called superbolts. By taking video images from the ISS Cupola, the interactions between the upper and lower atmosphere can be studied. Observations from space will be augmented by ground-based observations conducted by international research groups and schoolchildren in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Axiom Space communication systems technical demonstration

The Axiom Space Communications System payload will develop and test alternative ways for onboard communication to be used with a type of mobile device. This test will potentially allow crew members more flexibility to communicate with mission control and loved ones on the ground.

Axiom Space imagery processing and collection

Axiom Space is investigating the use of 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 time and ground time on image transferring, allowing the crew and ground more time to focus on science and outreach.

Stowage Tracking & Inventory Intelligent Video System (STIIVS)

Axiom Space’s STIIVS 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.

Odor visualization in collaboration with Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS)

JAMSS Odor Visualization is a tech demo developed by JAMSS that will use two QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) sensors to detect odors in a low-Earth orbit pressurized environment. The data collected will then be used to visualize the detected odors and could improve the quality of life for space travelers with future applications.

DreamUp DreamKits in collaboration with Nanoracks

The STEM-focused experiments are conducted in microgravity to educate students on the unique environment of the Space Station. These three visual experiments will demonstrate differences in fluid behavior on Earth and in microgravity, explore the aerodynamic behavior of different kite shapes on the ISS, and show effects of the vacuum of space on heat transfer. Students across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will participate in ground-based experiments on Earth to gather comparison data with custom-built kits and, in the case of Space Kites, the general public can gather their own data using household materials and instructions provided by DreamUp. This project is in collaboration with the Saudi Space Commission.

Courtesy of Axiom Space

Crew Dragon

This SpaceX capsule is designed to carry a crew of four to the International Space Station or other Earth orbit destinations after being launched atop a reusable Falcon 9 rocket.

The capsule includes a launch abort system, an advanced environmental control and life support system that keeps the crew safe during flight, and state-of-the art touchscreen interfaces.

Crew Dragon is designed to operate autonomously but can be manually controlled by SpaceX teams in Hawthorne, California, and the astronauts on board.

Under the contracted crew rotation missions to the Space Station for NASA, Dragon will carry a regular crew of 4 international astronauts.

Crew Dragon is also available for private missions to Earth orbit for paying customers.

For missions to the Station, Crew Dragon can remain in orbit for up to 6 months.



Falcon 9 is a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.

Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket.

Stats

Total launches: 412

Total landings: 368

Total reflights: 341

The Falcon 9 has launched 52 humans into orbit since May 2020

Specs

Height: 70 m / 229.6 ft

Diameter: 3.7 m / 12 ft

Mass: 549,054 kg / 1,207,920 lb

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 22,800 kg / 50,265 lb

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 8,300 kg / 18,300 lb

Payload to Mars: 4,020 kg / 8,860 lb

On January 24, 2021, Falcon 9 launched the first ride-share mission to Sun Synchronous Orbit. It was delivering a record-setting 143 satellites to space. And while this was an important mission for SpaceX in itself, it was also the moment Falcon 9 overtook United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V for the total number of consecutive successful launches.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 had become America’s workhorse rocket, launching 31 times in 2021. It has already beaten that record this year, launching almost an average of once a week. While most of the launches deliver Starlink satellites to orbit, the company is still launching the most commercial payloads to orbit, too.

Falcon 9 is a medium-lift launch vehicle, with the capability to launch over 22.8 metric tonnes to low earth orbit. Unlike any other rocket, its first stage lands back on Earth after separating from its second stage. In part, this allows SpaceX to offer the cheapest option for most customers with payloads that need to reach orbit.

Under its ride-share program, a kilogram can be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit for a mere 1.1 million dollars, far cheaper than all other currently operating small satellite launch vehicles.

The reusability and fast booster turnaround times have made Falcon 9 the preferred choice for private companies and government agencies. This has allowed SpaceX to capture a huge portion of the launch market.

Protecting the Crew

On the launch pad, the crew will board Dragon prior to fueling of the rocket.

Dragon's abort system will be armed and ready to pull the crew away from Falcon 9 in the event a critical issue develops during fueling.

The launch to a 200 x 200 km orbit will take just under 9 minutes.

Dragon and its crew will then separate from the Falcon 9 second stage 11 minutes after liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center.

Photo courtesy of Erik Kuna for Supercluster.

Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) is a historic launch site located at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Originally constructed in the late 1960s, LC-39A was designed to support the Apollo program, including the groundbreaking Apollo 11 mission that first landed humans on the Moon in 1969. The pad also played a crucial role in launching Skylab missions and was instrumental during the Space Shuttle era, including the launch of the first Space Shuttle, Columbia, on STS-1 in 1981.

In 2014, SpaceX leased LC-39A from NASA and undertook extensive refurbishments to adapt the pad for its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. These upgrades involved significant modifications to the pad's infrastructure to meet the requirements of SpaceX’s rockets. Since then, LC-39A has become a vital launch site for SpaceX, supporting a range of missions including crewed flights under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Under SpaceX's management, LC-39A has been the site of several landmark events. It hosted the first Falcon 9 launch from the pad on March 30, 2017, and was the launch site for the historic Falcon Heavy debut on February 6, 2018, which was the most powerful rocket in operation at that time. Additionally, LC-39A was the launch site for the first crewed flight of the Crew Dragon spacecraft on May 30, 2020, marking the first crewed spaceflight from U.S. soil since the end of the Shuttle program.

Today, LC-39A remains a critical asset for SpaceX, supporting both crewed and uncrewed missions. It continues to serve as a launch site for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and is expected to play a central role in future missions, including those aimed at lunar exploration and beyond. The pad's rich history and ongoing significance highlight its importance in the broader context of space exploration.

Photo courtesy of Erik Kuna for Supercluster

The Harmony module, also known within NASA as Node-2, was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in October 2007 on the STS-120 mission of Shuttle Discovery.

Harmony serves as the gateway between the US scientific and living modules and the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory and Japan's Kibo complex.

The module is equipped with two docking ports for US crew (Dragon and Starliner) and cargo (Dragon) spacecraft and also has one berthing port that can be used for either Northrop Grumman's Cygnus or Japan's HTV cargo ships.

Picture: A cargo Dragon docked to Harmony's zenith, or space-facing docking port. Part of Japan's Kibo complex can been seen to the left of Dragon. Credit: NASA

LZ-1

Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) is an 86 meter wide circular landing pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and is one of two SpaceX booster landing pads at the Florida spaceport.

Built on former Launch Complex 13, LZ-1 was the site of SpaceX's first successful landing and recovery of a Falcon 9 on the ORBCOMM-2 mission in December 2015. Since then, it has hosted 16 landings.

The landing pad, as well as its twin, LZ-2 located a few dozen meters away, can support both single landings of a Falcon 9 or simultaneous landings of the two Falcon Heavy side boosters.

Photo: Jenny Hautmann for Supercluster

Download the Supercluster app to track spacecraft traffic and view crewmembers aboard the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong Space Station.

Alternatively, you can use the web version of our Stations Dashboard on Supercluster's website.

We now track "Arrivals and Departures" for both stations through a new "Timetable" feature, covering crew rotations and cargo resupply missions.

You can also switch between the ISS and Tiangong to see their relative positions over Earth on our mini-map.

A recent update allows users to enable push alerts for notifications when space stations pass over their location.

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