The AX-1 Mission Successfully Returned to Earth
They flew more than 5 million kilometers, making about 240 orbits around the Earth. During the trip, the AX-1 mission supported 26 science payloads and technology demonstrations.
The first private mission to the International Space Station has returned after a slight delay due to weather conditions that caused it to last longer than expected.
The Dragon spacecraft carrying members of the AX-1 crew descended off the coast of Florida, returning from a trip to the International Space Station. A SpaceX capsule was undocked from the ISS for a return trip and then landed in the ocean off the coast of Florida.
The AX-1 mission was organized by Texas-based private space company Axiom Space, which also intends to establish a commercial space station in orbit.
During the 17-day mission, crew commander Michael López-Alegría, pilot Larry Connor, mission specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy worked aboard the station for 15 days. They flew more than 5 million kilometers, making about 240 orbits around the Earth. During the trip, the AX-1 mission supported 26 science payloads and technology demonstrations.