Who commanded Axiom Mission 1, the first privately operated crew mission to the International Space Station?

Michael López-Alegría commanded Axiom Mission 1, the first privately operated crew mission to the International Space Station.

Axiom Mission 1 launched on April 8, 2022, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon from Kennedy Space Center. The crew consisted of former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría and private astronauts Larry Connor, Mark Pathy, and Eytan Stibbe.

López-Alegría had already completed several NASA spaceflights and commanded the mission because of his experience. The crew spent approximately 17 days aboard the station, conducting scientific research, educational activities, and demonstrations.

Axiom Space organized the mission, while SpaceX provided the launch vehicle and Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA and its international partners approved the visit through the station’s commercial-use framework. The mission was an important step toward Axiom’s long-term plan for a commercial space station.