A SpaceX update on its official social media confirms that a Falcon 9 rocket carried a commercial crew mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
The mission, known as Crew Dragon, is part of the Axiom-2 commercial program. On board are commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut who previously served as the first female ISS commander; pilot John Schoffner, a seasoned spaceflight professional and businessman; and crew members Ryan Barnawi and Ali al-Karni from Saudi Arabia. The crew is scheduled to reside aboard the ISS for eight days, contributing to scientific research while collaborating with the station’s long-standing crew. [Citation: SpaceX social media briefing]
The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking another milestone for private spaceflight traveling to the station in low Earth orbit. [Citation: SpaceX communications]
Earlier reports highlighted that Ryan Barnawi would become the first Muslim woman to fly to space and the first Saudi and Arab woman to visit the ISS. Ali al-Karni is slated to be the first Saudi astronaut to join the ISS crew as part of this mission cycle. [Citation: SpaceX and program announcements]
The Axiom-2 mission follows a precedent set by Axiom Space’s initial private astronaut flight in April 2022, when four private astronauts spent two weeks on the ISS conducting experiments. That historic flight underscored the growing role of private crews in on-orbit research. [Citation: NASA and Axiom coverage]
Launched in late September 2022, the broader Axiom program has included a series of microgravity experiments designed to advance materials science, biology, and technology demonstrations aboard the ISS. The ongoing collaboration between Axiom Space and NASA demonstrates how commercial partnerships are expanding access to human spaceflight while enabling sustained scientific returns in orbit. [Citation: SpaceX and partner releases]