Following the recent statement by SpaceX and NASA that the spacecraft has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), the Axiom-1 mission is now coming to Earth.
The mission's scheduled five-day stay on the space station was extended, with the astronauts extending their stay on the ISS.
NASA, SpaceX Updates Axiom-1 Return
The Axiom-1 mission's undocking from the International Space Station has been updated by NASA and SpaceX. The return voyage will still be aboard the Dragon spacecraft, which will splash down on Monday. The Axiom astronauts' prolonged mission gives them more opportunity to accomplish their stated job on the space station, but it isn't designed to endure indefinitely.
Dragon is go to undock from the @space_station
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 25, 2022
According to NASA, the departure successfully undocked from the ISS Friday night at 9:10 p.m. ET and began its journey down to Earth. Ax-1 will also return hundreds of scientific and space supplies from the International Space Station to Earth for NASA to utilize and analyze when it lands.
The space agency also said in a blog that the Axiom-1's extended mission was delayed, causing them to spend more time in orbit. The mission was supposed to end on April 19, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it was extended for an additional five days.
The Axiom-1 has spent a total of 17 days aboard the space station, far longer than its original five-day stay, and is currently returning to Earth.
NASA Commercial Flights
Many of the missions in NASA's manifest will be launched by commercial or private space enterprises collaborating with the space agency. Many firms are now involved in the Commercial Crew collaboration, with SpaceX and Boeing at the forefront of this effort with NASA for missions to the International Space Station.
So far, SpaceX has been the only corporation to complete all flights.
However, like Axiom, other firms have teamed up with NASA for a voyage to the International Space Station to bring citizens to the orbiting station. The company's most recent endeavor has already completed the first part of its journey by arriving and landing at the station. Its return is already underway after a significant wait.
Axiom-1 is returning to NASA, and it is onboard SpaceX's dependable Dragon spacecraft, which has already accomplished the company's aims during its lengthy stay in space. The mission by NASA and Axiom is the first of many, and it also opens numerous avenues for other firms looking to become involved in the space sector.
RELATED ARTICLE: What Makes Axiom Space's Ax-1 ISS Launch Different From Other Commercial Spaceflights?
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