ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt from Sweden travelled to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) in January 2024. He spent 20 days in orbit conducting microgravity research and educational activities.
Marcus is the fifth ESA astronaut to fly on a Dragon spacecraft, and did so as mission specialist. The Ax-3 crew of four astronauts launched into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The astronaut from Sweden is the first of a new generation of European astronauts to fly on a commercial human spaceflight opportunity with Axiom Space. His mission is supported by ESA and the Swedish National Space Agency. Europe is teaming with a commercial space company to show how fast-track, short-duration missions can generate good science, outreach and education for a better life on Earth.
Launch: 18 January 2024, 21:49 GMT (22:49 CET, 16:49 local time)
Launch site: Launch pad 39A, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
Landing: 9 February 2024, 13:30 GMT/ 14:30 CET
Spacecraft: SpaceX Dragon
Mission: Axiom Mission 3
Ax-3 crewmates: Commander Michael López-Alegría (USA and Spain), Pilot Walter Villadei (Italy), Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı (Türkiye)
Mission duration: 21 days, 15 hours and 41 minutes
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An nuacht is déanaí
Watch live: Marcus Wandt docks to the Space Station
First Europeans take off on commercial flight to Space Station
A launch date for Marcus Wandt
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Axiom-3 undocking
Andreas Mogensen and Marcus Wandt in Columbus
ESA project astronaut and Axiom Mission 3 Mission Specialist Marcus Wandt performs a technology demonstration called Surface Avatar
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Muninn launch kit – Swedish
A mission brochure for Marcus Wandt
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