Update for January 17th: SpaceX announced that the launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-3 mission to the International Space Station has been delayed by one day. Thursday (January 18) 4:49pm ET (2149 GMT).
Watch live on Space.com. Coverage will begin on January 18th at 2:30pm ET (6:45pm GMT).
SpaceX is scheduled to launch astronauts to the International Space Station on Axiom Space’s private Ax-3 mission on Thursday (January 18), but if you want to watch it live online, find out when and where. There is a need. To that end, we have everything space fans need.
The Ax-3 mission, the third commercial spaceflight by Axiom Space and SpaceX, carried four people into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket and its Dragon spacecraft Freedom from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Launch the pilot to the ISS. The launch is scheduled for 4:49 PM ET (2149 GMT).
The Ax-3 mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría of Axiom Space and piloted by Walter Villaday of the Italian Air Force. Turkey’s first astronaut, Alpel Gezeraf, and European Space Agency reserve astronaut Marcus Vandt will be part of the crew as mission specialists. Together, the four will spend at least two weeks in space on the ISS mission. Here’s how and when you can observe the launch and docking to the orbiting lab.
Related: Meet the four astronauts who participated in SpaceX’s Ax-3 launch for Axiom Space
What time does SpaceX’s Ax-3 for Axiom Space launch?
Currently, SpaceX aims to launch Ax-3 astronauts into orbit. Thursday, January 18th, 4:49pm ET (2149 GMT) From Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Current weather forecasts predict 80% favorable conditions for launch. According to the 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force.
SpaceX has something called an “instant window” to start an Ax-3 mission. This means that if it does not launch at that time, it will have to stop until the next opportunity to reach the International Space Station. SpaceX’s backup launch date may be possible Friday, January 19th.
SpaceX and Axiom Space originally hoped to launch the Ax-3 mission in November 2023, but a series of other SpaceX flights ahead of the mission were delayed due to weather issues, so the flight was pushed back to 2024. It was postponed to January, then to mid-January. SpaceX said its launch date, scheduled for January 17, has been postponed to allow for additional system checks.
Can I watch SpaceX’s Ax-3 launch online?
Yes, you can watch SpaceX’s Ax-3 astronaut launch online for free. Actually, you have several options. Space.com will simulcast the livestream here Starts at 2:30 PM ET (18:30 GMT) The same goes for our YouTube channel.
SpaceX and Axiom Space will host their own joint webcast about the launch Starts at 2:30 PM ET (6:30 PM GMT) You can follow these webcasts at: of Axiom Space YouTube Channel and With your SpaceX X account (Formerly Twitter).
NASA’s livestream will be broadcast on NASA TV and NASA+. The agency will broadcast the SpaceX/Axiom Space program at the following times: 3:45 PM ET (2045 GMT). NASA’s launch coverage will end approximately 15 minutes after liftoff.
Docking range
SpaceX, Axiom Space and NASA will also provide a live view of the Ax-3 Dragon spacecraft’s docking with the International Space Station. Saturday, January 20th, 5:15 a.m. ET (10:15 GMT).
Live stream of the docking by NASA: 3:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. GMT) And then go through the docking itself.about 7 a.m. ET (12:00 GMT)the four Ax-3 astronauts will join the seven astronauts currently living on the International Space Station in a hatch opening ceremony.
lastly, 7:35 a.m. ET (12:35 GMT)the joint Ax-3 and station crew will host some welcome remarks before beginning their time together.
How long is SpaceX’s Ax-3 mission?
SpaceX’s Ax-3 astronaut launch takes just over 12 minutes from launch to final event, while Axiom Space’s mission lasts at least two weeks.
After liftoff, it takes the Falcon 9 rocket approximately two and a half minutes to reach stage separation. The first stage then returns to Earth and the upper stage continues its ascent with the Dragon spacecraft. The first stage should land at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station just under eight minutes after liftoff. According to the mission description.
The Dragon capsule will separate from the Falcon 9’s upper stage approximately 12 minutes after takeoff, and the nose cone will deploy within a minute to expose the docking port.
Time (hour:minute:second) | event | Header Cell – Column 2 |
---|---|---|
T-00:45:00 | SpaceX launch director “Go” for refueling | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
T-00:42:00 | Crew access arm retraction | Row 1 – Cell 2 |
T-00:39:00 | dragon launch escape system armed | Row 2 – Cell 2 |
T-00:35:00 | RP-1 propellant loading begins | Row 3 – Cell 2 |
T-00:35:00 | First stage liquid oxygen (LOX) loading begins | Row 4 – Cell 2 |
T-00:16:00 | 2nd stage LOX loading begins | Row 5 – Cell 2 |
T-00:07:00 | Falcon 9 engine chilldown begins | Row 6 – Cell 2 |
T-00:5:00 | Dragon with inner power | Row 7 – Cell 2 |
T-00:01:00 | Pre-launch check by flight computer | Row 8 – Cell 2 |
T-00:01:00 | Fuel tank at flight pressure | Row 9 – Cell 2 |
T-00:00:45 | Launch Director gives “GO” to launch | Row 10 – Cell 2 |
T-00:00:03 | Start of ignition sequence | Row 11 – Cell 2 |
T-00:00:00 | Falcon 9 lifts off! | Row 12 – Cell 2 |
T+00:01:12 | Max Q | Row 13 – Cell 2 |
T+00:02:26 | 1st stage main engine stopped | Row 14 – Cell 2 |
T+00:02:29 | stage separation | Row 15 – Cell 2 |
T+00:02:36 | 2nd stage engine start | Row 16 – Cell 2 |
T+00:02:43 | 1st stage boostback combustion starts | Row 17 – Cell 2 |
T+00:03:29 | 1st stage boostback combustion completed | Row 18 – Cell 2 |
T+00:06:18 | 1st stage entry burn begins | Row 19 – Cell 2 |
T+00:06:29 | 1st stage entry burn ends | Row 20 – Cell 2 |
T+00:07:23 | 1st stage landing combustion | Row 21 – Cell 2 |
T+00:0740 | 1st stage landing | Row 22 – Cell 2 |
T+00:08:48 | 2nd stage engine cutoff | Row 23 – Cell 2 |
T+00:12:00 | dragon separation | Row 24 – Cell 2 |
T+00:12:46 | Dragon’s nose cone opens | Row 25 – Cell 2 |
What happens if SpaceX fails to launch the Ax-3 mission?
SpaceX had set at least one backup day in case it was unable to launch its Ax-3 astronaut mission to the International Space Station on January 17 as originally planned. Now, the company is using that reserve date for its latest launch target. His second reserve date on January 19th may also be available.
If the January 18th launch is not possible, SpaceX could potentially try again Friday, January 19th It depends on the nature of the delay. However, the company has not officially announced January 19th as another backup date. As with the January 17th date, SpaceX is expected to have an immediate slot for a January 18th launch attempt. There is an 80% chance of good weather for the launch on January 18th. According to the 45th Weather Squadron.
If SpaceX is still unable to launch the Ax-3 mission on January 18th, the next option will likely be Friday, January 19th. Weather conditions are expected to be similar, Space Force officials said. The main concerns that day were thick cumulus clouds and the possibility that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 would fly through precipitation. space force said. When SpaceX targets a potential launch date of January 20th, weather forecasts predict good weather 95% of the time.