The International Space Station is about to get its first private astronauts.
According to reports, Canadian investor and philanthropist Mark Pathy, American entrepreneur Larry Connor, and former Israeli Air Force pilot Eytan Stibbe have each paid $55 million for the 10-day experience.
The trio will go to space with the mission commander.
Falcon 9 and Dragon vertical at 39A; targeting Friday, April 8 for launch of Ax-1 → https://t.co/sIz9U6NRxT pic.twitter.com/NSJqo3FBb4
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 6, 2022
The Ax-1 mission is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the early morning of Friday, April 8.
For any rocket launch, weather characteristics such as wind, precipitation, cloud, humidity, and temperature have to be monitored. The mission will be postponed until conditions improve.
The good news is that the weather for Friday's launch is looking good. With little chance of precipitation and acceptable wind speeds expected, the mission has been given an 80% chance of starting on time, with the primary concern being the appearance of a thick layer of cloud in the area.
A welcoming ceremony for the new arrivals will take place after docking with the ISS, where the current crew of seven astronauts will meet them for the first time.
The four visitors will conduct various scientific experiments while living aboard the outpost. Check out the videos made by crew members over the years to learn more about how astronauts live and work.
Digital Trends has everything you need to watch a livestream of the launch, as well as the docking with the International Space Station the following morning.
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