Adverse weather conditions forced NASA and its partners to postpone the launch of Axiom Mission 3 until February 6. NASA, Axiom Space and SpaceX are canceling the launch of Axiom Mission 3 from the International Space Station on Tuesday, February 6, due to adverse weather conditions in the intertidal zone. Ax-3 was originally planned to return to Earth on February 3, but this was also postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Mission teams will continue to examine weather conditions off the coast of Florida that are currently unsuitable for reentry, creating a new target opportunity to lift off from the space station and land the Dragon spacecraft and Axiom crew.

The next weather assessment is scheduled for February 6 at 12:00. NASA will provide additional information when the next docking opportunity becomes available.

Marking a major milestone in commercial spaceflight, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) is the first pan-European commercial astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was successfully launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 18, and the Dragon spacecraft docked with the Harmony module on the ISS on January 20.

The crew, led by Michael López-Alegria, pilot Walter Villaday, and mission experts Alper Gezeravci and Markus Wandt, represents a joint effort of the United States, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, and the European Space Agency (ESA).

The mission was originally planned to last 14 days, and the Ax-3 crew was tasked with conducting more than 30 experiments and participating in more than 50 outreach activities. These scientific efforts aim to improve our understanding of microgravity and human physiology on Earth, as well as explore the possibilities of industrial and technological advancement in space.

Ax-3 not only highlights the collaboration between government and commercial organizations in the development of human spaceflight, but also shows remarkable first moments. While Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravci is the first Turkish astronaut to participate in a space mission, Markus Wandt is considered the first ESA astronaut to complete a commercial space mission. This initiative is a precursor to the ambitious Axiom station, designed to be the world’s first commercial space station, exemplifying the expanding horizons of international space exploration and commercialization.