Ax-2 launch and Falcon 9 first stage landing

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the “Freedom” Crew Dragon spacecraft for Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the International Space Station, from the Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on 21 May 2023, at 21:37 UTC (17:37 EDT). Ax-2 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi. The “Freedom” Crew Dragon is scheduled to dock to the International Space Station on 22 May 2023, at 13:24 UTC (09:24 EDT). Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage (B1080) landed on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The “Freedom” Crew Dragon spacecraft previously flew the Crew-4 mission. Credit: Axiom Space/NASA/SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Axiom-2 and Falcon 9 landing #CrewDragon