SpaceX launches Axiom Space’s 1st all-private mission to the Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX launched Axiom Space’s Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station on Friday.

The Dragon spacecraft lifted off from Kennedy Space Center launch pad 39-A at 11:17 a.m.

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It was the fifth flight for the Falcon 9 first-stage booster and the third for this particular Dragon capsule.

Following the launch, the Falcon 9′s first-stage booster landed on the “A Shortfall of Gravitas” drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

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Axiom Space’s Ax-1 mission is the first all-private mission to the ISS and is composed of commander Michael López-Alegría, pilot Larry Connor, mission specialist Eytan Stibbe and mission specialist Mark Pathy.

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NASA crews move forward with last major tests of SLS rocket at Kennedy Space Center

They’ve spent over 1,000 hours training to prepare for the flight.

“Today is really the first step, the first down payment, the first chapter in taking private astronauts to the International Space Station where they’re going to be conducting many experiments,” said Axiom Executive Chairman Kam Ghaffarian. “It’s really the first step, a first beginning to many beginnings.”

Video: First all-private astronaut mission to ISS set to liftoff from Kennedy Space Center this wee

Hundreds of people arrived early at Space View Park on Friday morning to watch the rocket lift off.

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Read: Axiom-1: 1st all-private crewed mission to space station ready to launch from Space Coast

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