SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, named “Freedom,” is set to return to Earth on Friday morning, concluding the private Ax-3 astronaut mission. The capsule will make a parachute-aided ocean splashdown off the coast of Florida at around 8:30 a.m. EST. Viewers can watch the reentry action live through SpaceX’s account on X or via Axiom Space, the Houston-based company that organized Ax-3.
The Ax-3 mission began on January 18 when the Crew Dragon was launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on January 20. The mission consisted of four crewmembers: Commander Michael López-Alegría, who is now Axiom Space’s chief astronaut; pilot Walter Villadei, a colonel in the Italian Air Force; mission specialist Alper Gezeravcı, the first citizen of Turkey to reach space; and mission specialist Marcus Wandt, an ESA reserve astronaut.
During their time aboard the ISS, the crew conducted over 30 scientific experiments in fields such as physics and space medicine. Axiom Space stated that the data collected from these experiments will contribute to a better understanding of human physiology on Earth and in space. It will also advance scientific knowledge, create opportunities for industrial advancements, and develop technologies for humanity’s progress.
The Crew Dragon capsule, Freedom, undocked from the ISS on February 7, ending Ax-3’s stay aboard the orbiting lab. Originally, the departure was scheduled for February 3, but bad weather in the splashdown zone caused a delay of four days. Commander López-Alegría expressed his pride in his crewmates during a livestreamed departure ceremony, highlighting their achievements in meeting science objectives, technology demonstrations, and outreach events.
European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who commands the station’s current Expedition 70 mission, also commended the Ax-3 crew during the ceremony, stating that they had been great crewmates. This mission marks López-Alegría’s sixth spaceflight, and he holds the distinction of being the only person to have ridden Dragon to orbit twice. The other three astronauts on the Ax-3 mission had never been to orbit before, although Villadei had reached suborbital space with Virgin Galactic in June 2023.
As the Crew Dragon capsule returns to Earth, it concludes a successful mission that has contributed valuable data and advancements in various scientific fields. The achievements of the Ax-3 crewmembers mark another milestone in space exploration and pave the way for future missions and discoveries.
