Axiom's Ax-3 mission launches to the ISS with an all-European crew

Axiom Space/Axiom Station

Axiom's Ax-3 mission launched January 18, 2024, aboard Crew Dragon with the first all-European commercial crew to the ISS: commanders Michael López-Alegría, and specialists from Italy, Turkey and Sweden. Alper Gezeravcı became the first Turkish astronaut in space during the 18-day mission.

• Four-person crew: López-Alegría (U.S./Spain), Walter Villadei (Italy), Alper Gezeravcı (Türkiye), Marcus Wandt (Sweden); 18-day mission, 346 orbits.
• Gezeravcı was the first Turkish astronaut in space; Wandt was the first ESA-sponsored national astronaut on a commercial crewed mission.
• Demonstrated a new pathway for countries to access low-Earth orbit through commercial partnerships with private operators.