Ali Alqarni – Spaceflight Now

Whitson says commercial station visit critical to private-sector space ops

May 25, 2023 William Harwood

America’s most experienced astronaut says her fully commercial visit to the International Space Station this week is a critical stepping stone on the road to space tourism, private-sector orbital research and development of commercially operated space stations.

Axiom’s second private astronaut mission docks at International Space Station

May 22, 2023 Stephen Clark

Four commercial space fliers who launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Axiom’s second private astronaut mission Sunday arrived at the International Space Station on a SpaceX crew capsule Monday to start an eight-day stay full of scientific experiments, student outreach events, and sightseeing.

Two Americans, two Saudis launch on commercial astronaut mission

May 21, 2023 Stephen Clark

Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, with more time in space than any other American, rocketed back into orbit for the fourth time Sunday, riding a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher from Florida with a fare-paying investor and private pilot, and the first two Saudi Arabian astronauts to fly to the International Space Station.

Axiom’s second crew mission has narrow window for launch

May 20, 2023 Stephen Clark

The second fully commercial astronaut flight to the International Space Station will have just two opportunities to launch Sunday and Monday, or else wait until after an upcoming SpaceX resupply mission next month to deliver a new set of high-priority solar arrays to the complex.