Four astronauts, including the first woman from Saudi Arabia, of the American private space habitat company Axiom Space have returned safely to Earth after spending eight days on their second mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the company has said.
The Ax-2 crew aboard the SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft safely splashed down off the coast of Florida at 11.04 p.m. on Tuesday (8.34 a.m. on Wednesday IST).
"The Dragon spacecraft has safely returned to the recovery ship," the company said in a tweet.
"The crew is returning with a plethora of data. The Ax-2 mission is a critical step along the journey toward Axiom Station, the world's first commercial space station!" it added.
The Ax-2 crew included Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight and Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, from the Saudi Space Commission (SSC).
The Ax-2 crew spent eight days aboard the ISS, orbited the Earth 126 times, and travelled 3,331,440 miles.
During the mission, the Ax-2 crew conducted more than 20 research experiments and served as research subjects to better understand the impacts of microgravity on the human body, as well as established methods for the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and improving life on Earth.
Additionally, the crew carried out over 20 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and maths) engagements.
The Ax-2 mission is the first commercial human spaceflight mission to include both private astronauts and astronauts representing foreign governments, as well as the first private mission commanded by a female.
Axiom Space is also facilitating exciting and impactful scientific research and in-space manufacturing via its space missions, and on Axiom Station in the future, to help expand knowledge to benefit life on Earth in areas such as healthcare, materials, technology development, and enable industrial advances.
India leads global AI adoption with 30pc companies maximising AI value: Report
India leads Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption with 30 per cent of companies in the country having maximised AI’s value potential -- surpassing the global average of 26 per cent, according to a report.
IIT Madras, ISRO to study spacecraft & launch vehicle-related thermal management
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Monday announced a collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for research in ‘Fluid and Thermal Sciences’.
Scientists to probe if grape juice chemical can prevent bowel cancer
The team will probe a chemical called resveratrol -- a naturally occurring ingredient found in grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and peanuts -- for potential cancer prevention.
Musk’s SpaceX wins $733 million launch contract from US Space Force
The US Space Force’s Space Systems Command issued Launch Service Task Orders (LSTOs) totalling $733,566,001 to SpaceX under the “National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1.”
India takes lead in 6G after record 5G roll out: Experts
After a successful 5G rollout, the country is now taking lead in 6G as the ‘Digital India’ initiative transforms the economy, with the Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM) trinity emerging as a solid foundation block, experts said here on Friday.
NASA-SpaceX's Europa Clipper off to explore Jupiter's ocean world
"Today, we embark on a new journey across the solar system in search of the ingredients for life within Jupiter's icy moon. Our next chapter in space exploration has begun," he added.
Indian conglomerates set to spend $800 bn on growth, new businesses in focus
Indian conglomerates are likely to spend about $800 billion on growth over the next 10 years, almost triple of what they spent over the prior decade, a report showed on Monday.
NASA’s Europa Clipper mission to lift off on Monday: SpaceX
After being stalled due to hurricane Milton, NASA’s Europa Clipper mission aims to fly to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa in search of life on Monday, SpaceX has said.