The second commercial Axiom Space mission to the International Space Station is slated to fly private astronauts, including two representing a foreign government.
Axiom-2 will use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is expected in spring 2023.
Commanding the mission for Axiom Space will be former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. She’ll also be the first woman to command a private spaceflight.
The pilot for Axiom-2 is expected to be John Shoffner, an American racing driver, Invester and pilot.
Flying as mission specialists will be two astronauts representing Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Space Commision — Ali AlQarni and Rayyanah Barnawi.