Sonya Gavankar McKay (left), director of digital strategy for Axiom Space, prepares to interview Dr. Lucie Low, chief scientist for Axiom Space, during a live broadcast ahead of the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 21, 2023. Ax-2 is the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, sending Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will spend about 10 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.

The first stage of a two-stage SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket makes its descent toward Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after lifting off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida for the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) on May 21, 2023. Ax-2 is the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, sending Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will spend about 10 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT.

From left, Director of Digital Strategy for Axiom Space Sonya Gavankar McKay interviews Axiom Space Chief Revenue Officer Tejpaul Bhatia and Chief Development and Planning Officer of the Saudi Space Commission Ahmed Al-Ghofaili during a live broadcast ahead of the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 21, 2023. Ax-2 is the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, sending Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will spend about 10 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft, soars upward after lifting off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida on May 21, 2023, for the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station. Ax-2 is the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, sending Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will spend about 10 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft, lifts off from NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida on May 21, 2023, for the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station. Ax-2 is the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, sending Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will spend about 10 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT.

NASA Communications’ Megan Cruz (left) prepares to interview NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a live broadcast ahead of the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) launch from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 21, 2023. Ax-2 is the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, sending Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will spend about 10 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson watches as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) on May 21, 2023. Ax-2 is the second all private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, sending Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi to the orbiting laboratory, where they will spend about 10 days conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. Liftoff occurred at 5:37 p.m. EDT.