SpaceX F9 - Axiom Mission 2 - LC-39A

Launch Date: May 21
Launch Window: 5:37pm EDT (2:37pm PDT, 21:37 UTC)
Launch site: LC-39A, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Booster Recovery: LZ-1
Booster: B1080.1
Dragon: Crew Dragon, C212.2 Freedom
Mass: Crew Dragon: 12,519 kg (27,600 lb)
Orbit: LEO - ISS
Dragon Return - May 31
Yearly Launch Number: 34

Crew:
Commander: Peggy Whitson, USA, Axiom Space
Pilot: John Shoffner, USA, Commercial Astronaut
Mission Specialist 1: Ali AlQuarni, Saudi Arabia, SSC
Mission Specialist 2: Rayyanah Barnawi, Saudi Arabia, SSC

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on the program’s 10th flight with astronauts. The commercial mission, managed by Axiom Space, is commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. Paying passenger John Shoffner will serve as pilot of the mission. Two commercial space fliers from Saudi Arabia, Ali AlQarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, will also be on the approximately 12-day mission to the space station. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea off the coast of Florida. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land at LZ-1 11 km south of the launch site.

Axiom Mission 2 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Axiom Space — World’s First Commercial Space Station

Creating a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere.

www.axiomspace.com

 

[Grendal]

This launch will be the Falcon program's 225th orbital launch.

 

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SpaceX has narrow window for Ax-2 launch

SpaceX and Axiom Space will have only two chances this month to launch a private astronaut mission to the ISS before having to wait up to several months.

spacenews.com

 

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NASA's livestream for the launch:

 

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SpaceX version:

 

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Om

 

[HVM]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1660402691971874824

 

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[Electroman]

Can someone tell me what is different in this crewed flight that the booster was able to come back to launch site ?

Lighter payload? maybe skinny crew

 

[Grendal]

Can someone tell me what is different in this crewed flight that the booster was able to come back to launch site ?

Lighter payload? maybe skinny crew

Improvements to F9 give it just enough margins to allow for an RTLS. I've heard it will be happening with official ISS Crew launches as well. The booster did need to do a three engine hoverslam landing to make sure they pulled it off though. A three engine hoverslam uses less fuel but is harder on the airframe. The single engine landing regime is more fuel intensive but more gentle.

 

[Electroman]

Interestingly as I was watching the booster touchdown today, I was thinking to myself the touchdowns are so smooth and gentle better than even some airplane landings I have been in, I would love to take a ride on the booster and back with space suit and all

 

[carlyb24]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1660402691971874824

Aaaand they just docked at the ISS! Watching live on NASA TV ... so amazing.. I remember when the idea of privatizing space was just a thought exercise in academic journals and the odd book or two - thought it was a great idea back then and still do - really hope my 'crazy' space policy professor is still alive to enjoy watching this too!

 

[scaesare]

Improvements to F9 give it just enough margins to allow for an RTLS. I've heard it will be happening with official ISS Crew launches as well. The booster did need to do a three engine hoverslam landing to make sure they pulled it off though. A three engine hoverslam uses less fuel but is harder on the airframe. The single engine landing regime is more fuel intensive but more gentle.

Berger mentions it briefly in his article about the mission.

 

[ecarfan]

Interestingly as I was watching the booster touchdown today, I was thinking to myself the touchdowns are so smooth and gentle better than even some airplane landings I have been in, I would love to take a ride on the booster and back with space suit and all

Love this shot of the booster just before landing!

 

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[carlyb24]

A night landing on water makes this even more amazing... loved hearing that John Shoffner is a seaplane pilot too

 

[carlyb24]

Just curious - how did they communicate with ATC when they entered controlled airspace? Did someone in the control center send a message ahead of time requesting clearance to be sure they'd avoid other aircraft? I know it couldn't be "Axiom2 entering 62 mile final for the Atlantic Ocean straight in"everyone else watch out hahah