by SpaceX will send an astronaut crew to the International Space Station on Wednesday (January 17) on the private Ax-3 mission for Axiom Space, but if you hope to see it live online, you’ll need to know where and when. And for that, space fans, we have what you need.
The Ax-3 mission, Axiom Space’s third commercial spaceflight by SpaceX, will send four astronauts to the ISS from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket and its Dragon Freedom spacecraft. Liftoff is scheduled for 5:11 pm EST (2111 GMT).
The Ax-3 mission is led by former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria of Axiom Space, with Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force serving as pilot. Turkey’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravc, and European Space Agency reserve astronaut Marcus Wandt sent out the crew as mission specialists. Together, the four men will spend at least two weeks in space on their ISS mission. Here’s how and when to watch them launch and dock at the orbital lab.
Related: Meet the 4 astronauts of SpaceX’s Ax-3 launch for Axiom Space
What time does SpaceX’s Ax-3 launch for Axiom Space?
Currently, SpaceX aims to launch the Ax-3 astronauts into orbit on Wednesday, January 17, at 5:11 pm EST (2211 GMT) from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Current weather forecasts call for 95% good conditions at the time of launch, according to the US Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron.
SpaceX has an “instant window” to launch the Ax-3 mission. That means if the company can’t launch at that exact time, it will have to wait until the next opportunity to reach the International Space Station. SpaceX’s backup launch day is Thursday, January 18, at 4:49 pm EST (2149 GMT).
SpaceX and Axiom Space originally hoped to launch the Ax-3 mission in November 2023, but the flight was pushed to January 2024 and then to mid-January as weather issues delayed another series of SpaceX flights before the mission .
Can you watch SpaceX launch Ax-3 online?
Yes, you will be able to watch the SpaceX Ax-3 astronaut launch online for free. In fact, you have a few options. Space.com will simulcast the live stream here and on our YouTube channel, as well.
SpaceX and Axiom Space will host their own joint webcast of the launch starting at 3:15 pm EST (2015 GMT) on January 17. You can follow those webcasts at the Axiom Space YouTube channel and on the SpaceX X account (formerly Twitter).
The NASA live stream will be broadcast on NASA TV and NASA+. The agency will broadcast the SpaceX/Axiom Space program at 3:15 p.m., then into the cover at 4:15 pm EST (2115 GMT). NASA’s launch coverage will end approximately 15 minutes after liftoff.
Dock cover
SpaceX, Axiom Space and NASA will also provide live views of the docking of the Ax-3 Dragon spacecraft at the International Space Station, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 19, at 5:15 am EST (1015 GMT).
NASA’s live stream on the bay will begin at 3:30 am EST (0830 GMT) and run through Á itself. At approx 7 am EST (1200 GMT)the four Ax-3 astronauts will join the seven astronauts currently living on the International Space Station during the hatch opening ceremony.
Finally, at 7:35 am EST (1235 GMT)the fellow Ax-3 and the station crew will host some welcome comments before starting their time together.
How long is the SpaceX Ax-3 mission?
While SpaceX’s launch of the Ax-3 astronauts will last just over 12 minutes from liftoff to final departure, the Space Axiom mission will last at least two weeks.
After liftoff, the Falcon 9 rocket should take about 2.5 minutes to reach stage separation, after which its first stage will return to Earth with the upper stage following up with the Dragon spacecraft. The first stage should land just under 8 minutes after liftoff at SpaceX Landing Zone 1 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, according to a mission report.
The Dragon capsule will separate from the upper stage of the Falcon 9 about 12 minutes after liftoff, using its nose cone to reveal its docking port less than a minute later.
What if SpaceX can’t launch the Ax-3 mission?
SpaceX has set at least one backup day in case it can’t send the Ax-3 astronaut mission to the International Space Station on January 17 as planned. A second backup day on January 19 may also be available.
If the January 17th launch is not possible, SpaceX can try again Thursday, January 18, at 4:49 pm EST (2149 GMT) depending on the nature of any delay. Like the January 17th date, SpaceX is expected to have an immediate window for a launch attempt on January 18th. There is a 90% chance of good weather for a launch on January 18, according to the 45th Weather Squadron.
If SpaceX is still unable to launch the Ax-3 mission on January 18, its next option is likely to be Friday, January 19, but the weather will deteriorate slightly to 75% of good weather, according to Space officials Force. . The main concerns that day are thick cumulus clouds and the possibility of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 flying through precipitation, the Space Force said.
