when Axiom SpaceThe third private astronaut mission, Ax-3, will launch to the space station, carrying an all-European astronaut crew and dozens of investigations sponsored by the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory.
Much of this research will test technology that could be valuable for future long-duration spaceflight. The mission, which is scheduled to be launched in SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket from Launch of complex 39A in NASA's Kennedy Space Center In Florida no later than Wednesday, January 17, at 5:11 PM EDT, it will help expand a new era of private use of the orbiting laboratory and advance technological innovations for the benefit of humanity.
The Ax-3 crew includes an Axiom Space astronaut and a former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez Alegria (Leader); Walter Velade From Italy (pilot); Albert Jezeravsi Türkiye (Mission Specialist); A European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Markus Wandt Sweden (Mission Specialist). During the two-week mission, the crew will conduct more than 30 experiments, including several to test materials and technology to protect space travelers from radiation and other harsh conditions in space.
Here are some highlights of some of the technology development investigations launched on the Ax-3 mission:
- A project in partnership with Italian racing car company Dallara aims to take space materials to the next level by evaluating how effectively different advanced materials can withstand radiation during spaceflight. Acute radiation in the space environment can cause solid materials to decay over time, compromising the functionality of satellites and spacecraft. The materials being tested could be used to study radiation-shielding textiles for future space stations, spacecraft and even space suits.
- Through collaboration with the Italian government and commercial industry, Ax-3 crew members will test the Smart Flight Suit 2. This innovative suit is certified by NASA to collect valuable medical data on astronauts, such as temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Designed to be a combination of comfort and functionality, the suit is constructed using next-generation fabrics that make it breathable, while meeting NASA's stringent requirements for protecting astronauts during spaceflight.
- In an investigation by the Italian Space Agency, the Ax-3 crew will test a software upgrade of the Long-Term Anomalous Effects on Astronauts (ALTEA) radiation detector currently on board the space station. The crew will also redirect ALTEA's Light Ion Detector (LIDAL) instruments that provide more comprehensive insights into the orbiting laboratory's radiation environment. With LIDAL, ALTEA can be used to determine the amount of ionizing radiation absorbed by space station crew members in real time. This represents the first real-time radiation “risk meter” in a space habitat. The system could also be used for future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Read more about these and other investigations that begin this mission at Axiom Space Research Overview and on ISS National Lab Ax-3 launch page.
