AIAA Statement on the Axiom Mission 1 (AX-1) Launch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon capsule attached, lifts off with the first private crew from Launch Complex 39A Friday, April 8, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. | Credit: Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP–©
April 8, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:
“On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate the entire Axiom Mission 1 (AX-1) team on their successful launch today. Axiom, NASA, and SpaceX have introduced a new model for commercial space exploration, expanding access to low Earth orbit that in turn increases the scientific research opportunities on the International Space Station (ISS). We applaud this first private mission to the ISS, showing how NASA and private industry are working together to extend the human neighborhood into low Earth orbit in meaningful ways.
In addition to expanding commercial research opportunities in the ISS orbiting laboratory, the AX-1 mission adds more names to the growing list of astronauts due to commercial space activity. From entrepreneurs to philanthropists, we are seeing a new breed of explorer emerge in low Earth orbit. We are encouraged to see the space economy growing, as these innovators work to improve life on Earth and accelerate our off-world future. We look forward to following their progress.
We recognize the countless aerospace industry professionals involved in making today’s launch a success. We salute Axiom, NASA, and SpaceX, and their entire team, for helping shape the future of aerospace.”
Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, RebeccaG@AIAA.org, 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
