Microgravity Research Portfolio Revealed for Axiom Space ISS Mission
The microgravity research portfolio for the Ax-1 Axiom Space mission to ISS has been unveiled by the company. On the first fully private mission to ever visit the ISS, set to launch in February of next year, the multinational crew of four private astronauts with Axiom's Michael López-Alegría as commander will pioneer a new phase of microgravity utilization among non-government entities – laying the groundwork for a full realization of low-Earth orbit's possibilities and bringing critical findings back down to Earth.
"Humanity has only scratched the surface of low-Earth orbit's potential for breakthrough innovation and Axiom was founded to push that envelope – first with private astronaut missions to ISS, followed by the launch and operation of the world's first commercial space station, and eventually the creation of a rotating city in space and scaled human presence in orbit."
Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space.
"Humanity has only scratched the surface of low-Earth orbit's potential for breakthrough innovation and Axiom was founded to push that envelope – first with private astronaut missions to ISS, followed by the launch and operation of the world's first commercial space station, and eventually the creation of a rotating city in space and scaled human presence in orbit," said Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space. "We applaud the Ax-1 crew's commitment to advancing scientific inquiry and kicking off this civilizational leap. We're confident this mission will become not just a monumental moment in space travel, but the true beginning of making space's potential for meaningful discovery available to private citizens and organizations for the first time."
Larry Connor, Ax-1 mission pilot, entrepreneur, and non-profit activist investor, is flying on the mission on behalf of Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Connor's microgravity research experiments on behalf of Mayo Clinic would provide data on space travel's impact on senescent cells and heart health. Connor is expected to be in charge of maintaining senescent cells – cells that have stopped dividing – at the ISS. These cells are linked to multiple age-related diseases.
Under the theme "Caring for People and the Planet," mission specialist Mark Pathy is expected to take part in scientific research projects in partnership with six Canadian universities and their investigators, as well as proof-of-concepts with two tech startups including the world's first in-space demonstration of two-way holoportation – a mixed reality app for special lenses that receives two-way 3D projections as a hologram to communicate between users remotely. He plans to conduct Earth observation activities in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Western University.
Mision specialist Eytan Stibbe plans to take part in Ax-1 on behalf of the Ramon Foundation and in collaboration with the Israel Space Agency in the Israeli Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology. His mission is named "Rakia," after the dome (atmosphere) created by God on the second day after the firmament, which protects life on Earth. During his mission, he will facilitate scientific microgravity research, and conduct educational and artistic activities to connect the younger generation in Israel and around the globe on the values of peace, innovation, and social responsibility. For the first time, an astronaut will represent Israelis on the International Space Station in Hebrew. The "Rakia" mission marks another milestone in the participation of Israel in human space exploration.
(Source: Axiom Space news release. Image from file)