Latest news with #Whitson
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Science
- USA Today
Axiom-4 astronauts prepare to launch for space station on SpaceX Dragon: What to know
Axiom-4 astronauts prepare to launch for space station on SpaceX Dragon: What to know Axiom Space, a company headquartered in Houston, Texas, is set to send four spacefarers up to the International Space Station on a private two-week research mission. Show Caption Hide Caption Peggy Whitson to lead Axiom 4 mission to ISS Axiom Space has approved the crew for its fourth private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, Axiom 4, will be led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, who holds the U.S. record for most days spent in space. Fox - 35 Orlando The mission, which was recently delayed for the second time, is due to get off the ground once again from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The crew will be under the command of Peggy Whitson, a record-holding NASA astronaut who has recently made a second career in the private spaceflight sector. The private astronauts will plan to perform about 60 scientific experiments during their time in orbit. The next group of international astronauts are preparing to head up into outer space. Axiom Space, a company headquartered in Houston, Texas, is set to send four spacefarers up to the International Space Station on a private two-week research mission. The Axiom Mission 4, also known as Ax-4, is the latest in a series of human spaceflights in partnership with both NASA and SpaceX. The mission, which was recently delayed for the second time, is due to get off the ground once again from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. This time around, a crew will be under the command of Peggy Whitson, a record-holding NASA astronaut who has recently made a second career in the private spaceflight sector. Here's everything to know about Axiom Space's fourth crewed mission to the International Space Station: What is the Axiom 4 mission? Whitson and her crew are due to undertake about 60 scientific experiments during their time aboard the International Space Station. The research was developed specifically to take place in microgravity on behalf of organizations around the world, according to Axiom Space. The Axiom missions are also aimed at advancing the company's goals of building a space station that will attach to the ISS before its planned 2030 retirement. The Axiom missions began in 2022, with the most recent, Axiom Mission 3, taking place in January 2024. What also makes Ax-4 notable is that it is the first time in more than 40 years that India, Poland and Hungary have had a crew member from their respective nations on a government-sponsored spaceflight. The upcoming spaceflight is also each nation's first-ever mission to the space station. Axiom Space: Ax-4 will launch with former NASA astronaut and new SpaceX Dragon What is the International Space Station? For 25 years, the International Space Station has been stationed in low-Earth orbit, typically about 250 miles high, where it has been home to astronauts from all over the world. The orbital laboratory is operated through a global partnership of space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). More than 280 spacefarers from 23 countries have visited the International Space Station, including 169 from the United States alone, according to NASA. Bigger than a six-bedroom house, the outpost has six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym and a 360-degree view bay window. As of now, seven members of Expedition 73, including three Americans, are living aboard the ISS – conducting scientific research and working to maintain the station. When will Axiom 4 launch from Florida? The Ax-4 crew are due to ride a brand-new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to orbit, which will get off the ground with the assistance of the company's two-stage Falcon 9 rocket. The launch could happen as early as 8:22 a.m. ET Tuesday, June 10, from NASA's historic Launch Complex 39A – the site of the agency's Apollo moon mission launches. The launch window was delayed Tuesday, June 3, for the second time in a shift that NASA says will allow mission operators to avoid inclement weather and have more time to prepare the Dragon for launch. Axiom Space had originally been working toward a May 29 launch before takeoff was pushed to June 8 as part of adjustments to the space station's schedule. Once the Dragon separates from the Falcon 9 following liftoff, the capsule will continue its independent journey to the orbital outpost, where it is expected to dock by 12:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, June 11, according to NASA. Who is the crew of Axiom 4? Here's a look at the four international astronauts crewing Ax-4: Commander Peggy Whitson , a former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space who previously commanded Ax-2 , a former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space who previously commanded Ax-2 Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla , an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) , an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski , a scientist and engineer from Poland who is part of the European Space Agency's reserve astronaut class , a scientist and engineer from Poland who is part of the European Space Agency's reserve astronaut class Mission specialist Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer from Hungary How long will the Ax-4 crew be in space? The Ax-4 crew members and their Dragon spacecraft are expected to be docked at the space station for up to 14 days. Though their exact return date remains unclear, they would eventually depart the station on the Dragon for a water landing off the coast of California, where SpaceX has recently moved its recovery operations. Contributing: Brooke Edwards, FLORIDA TODAY Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Astronauts in quarantine ahead of Axiom-4 mission to ISS
The crew members of Axiom-4 are in quarantine ahead of their launch next week to the International Space Station. The astronauts will spend two weeks aboard the ISS conducting 60 experiments during their commercial flight. The international crew will include representatives from the United States, India, Poland, and Hungary. It will be led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson. 'Each mission we have builds on the last, expanding our capabilities and deepening our understanding of how we can sustainably live and work in space,' Whitson said Tuesday at a news conference. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will be used to launch the mission from Kennedy Space Center. Axiom-4 is scheduled to lift off on June 10 at 8:22 a.m. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Axiom Space Ax-4 will launch with former NASA astronaut, a swan, and new SpaceX Dragon
A week away from their private mission to the International Space Station, four astronauts talked to the media from quarantine on June 3, showing off a plush toy they will be bringing with them into space. It's a swan named Joy, which has special significance to this Axiom crew, made up of astronauts from the United States, India, Poland and Hungary. "The swan is rich in cultural symbolism. (It) stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungry," said Mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. The four astronauts sat in front of the camera from quarantine in Florida to talk about their mission onboard a new SpaceX Dragon , which will launch no earlier than 8:22 a.m. June 10. The swan, Whitson said, symbolizes "grace and elegance." But it's more than just a fun companion to take in the new Dragon, it will also "signal our arrival in microgravity shortly after launch" signifying the crew has reached orbit. Organized by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA, the international crew is set to liftoff on an approximately two week mission to the space station. While the crew plans about 60 scientific experiments, the Axiom missions are also aimed at advancing the company's goals of building a space station that will attach to the ISS before its planned 2030 retirement. NASA plans to shift low Earth orbit activities to contracts with private space companies, and Axiom is one of the companies paving the way with planned Axiom Station. "For me, returning to space is always a special experience," Whitson said during the June 3 press briefing. "Every mission is different. Every crew brings something new to the table." Whitson said it was a joy to work with her fellow three crew members: Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu. As for Joy, the swan may turn out to be even more than just a zero-g indicator, the crew suggested. It is noteworthy that the Axiom Mission 4 will be flying on a brand new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and it's tradition that the first crew to fly in a spacecraft gets to name it. This Dragon was originally set to ferry NASA's Crew-10 to the ISS back in March, but technical delays forced NASA and SpaceX to fly Crew-10 on another Dragon spacecraft. "The reason we selected this one may become more obvious once you hear the name of the vehicle," Whitson said with a laugh when questioned about the swan. The exact name of the spacecraft has yet to be revealed, but it's expected to be announced soon. SpaceX currently has four other Crew Dragon spacecrafts in rotation: Freedom, Endeavour, Resilience, and Endurance. It was Hungarian crew member, Kapu, who came up with the name for the swan. "We are focused, we are committed, but above all, we are joyful," said Kapu. "And joy is a sign of trust, resilience, and in my mind, friendship." Kapu spoke of swans flying over Lake Balaton in Hungry. "Now one will soar a little bit higher," he said. With the mission now set to lift off no earlier than June 10 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A, here's a look at the multinational crew flying to the ISS. The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will be Axiom Space's fourth astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The company's first mission, Axiom Mission 1, flew to the ISS in April of 2022. The last mission, Axiom Mission 3, flew to the ISS in January 2024. The crew of four will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew consists of: Whitson, who is a former NASA astronaut and only crew member who has flown to space. Whitson also served as commander on Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Whitson holds title of most time accumulated in space by an American. She was recently inducted to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India. India is currently creating its own human spaceflight program, with plans for two crewed and six uncrewed launches by 2028. Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland. He will be the first Polish astronaut to visit the ISS. Mission Specialist Kapu from Hungary. Kapu will be the second Hungarian to fly to space, and the first to visit the ISS. When is the next launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral The mission marks the first government-sponsored spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary in more than 40 years. For this reason, it is stated to 'realize the return' to spaceflight for these countries. The crew will carry 60 scientific studies from 31 countries to the ISS. These Axiom astronaut missions are also working to pave the way for Axiom's planned space station. The first module is planned for attachment in 2027. The plan is for NASA to transition to the Axiom Station, and have SpaceX safely deorbit the aging ISS. The earliest parts of the ISS have been in orbit since 1998. A launch date for the first module of the Axiom Station has yet to be announced. Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team for the latest on Axiom Mission 4. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Ax-4 astronauts reveal swan, tease name of new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Quarantined ahead of 5th trip to space, Whitson inducted with trailblazer Harris to Astronaut Hall of Fame
MERRITT ISLAND — Four-time spaceflight veteran Peggy Whitson had a good excuse for not showing up Saturday for her own induction ceremony to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. She's in quarantine to go to space again. Whitson is slated to command the private Axiom Space Ax-4 mission flying in a new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft set to launch as early as June 8. So her presence at the ceremony held under the suspended Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was purely virtual. 'Please know that my heart is with you. It is a privilege to be a part of such an esteemed group of individuals who have dedicated their lives to exploring the unknown,' she said in a message recorded at an undisclosed location nearby. Fellow inductee and two-time space shuttle astronaut Bernard Harris, who became the first Black person to perform a spacewalk, was on hand, though. He was joined by dozens of former astronauts and NASA officials as both his and Whitson's plaques were revealed — becoming the 110th and 111th members of the hall of fame created in 1990 by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and represented at the visitor complex with its own building honoring inductees. While both had significant careers with NASA, Whitson has spent a little bit more time in space — 37 times more. Chosen as an astronaut candidate in 1996, Whitson's first trip to space was in 2002 on Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-111 for her first of four stays on board the International Space Station. She flew home on STS-113, also on Endeavour, and then returned twice on Soyuz missions in 2007 and 2016. She became the first female commander of the space station — and to date is its only two-time commander. After retiring from NASA she joined private company Axiom Space and commanded its second commercial mission Axiom 2 in 2023. The four trips have amounted to more than 675 days in space — giving her the the all-time record for women in space, as well the record for an American astronaut. That total is set to grow by another two weeks once Ax-4 is completed. 'I applied to NASA's astronaut training program four times over nine years, and was denied. After 10 years and my fifth try of applying, I finally made it. It's only in retrospect that I can say those years of rejection were good for me,' she said. 'Those years of being refused a chance at my dream gave me an incredible experience as a leader, a builder of teams and a member of international partnerships. 'As it turned out, all of those were critical to my career as an astronaut — each mission, each spacewalk and each experiment conducted on board the International Space Station has been a step toward understanding our universe and improving life here on Earth.' Harris was chosen as an astronaut candidate in 1990 and flew his first mission — STS-55 — on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1993 followed by STS-63 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1995. The second flight, a dress rehearsal flight for docking missions with the Russian space station Mir, wasn't supposed to feature a spacewalk but the dominoes fell into place setting up Harris' landmark experience. 'In truth, I didn't know i was the first African American until I got back inside and I got the call that President Clinton wanted to talk to me,' he said. 'I kind of went like, 'What for?'' Both 68-year-old Harris born in Temple, Texas in 1956, and 65-year-old Whitson, born in Beaconsfield, Iowa in 1960, cited the Apollo 11 moonwalk by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as their inspiration to become astronauts. 'The moon landing, when I was 9 years old, seemed to make space attainable,' Whitson said. 'My 9-year-old self thought that astronaut had to be the ultimate job. 'So thanks to the moon landing, maybe even a little bit Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, as well as my first ride in the Cessna 150 with my Dad, that spark grew into a passion for space exploration.' Harris, who was 13 when history was made, said he wrestled with other events of the time. 'I was old enough to go through the early 60s, the civil rights movement,' he said. 'I could turn one channel and see some of the greatest accomplishments of human beings at that time and turn the channel and see Blacks fighting for their right to vote or to exist depending on what part of the country that they were in.' He said he still marvels at how his 13-year-old mind was able to meld those events together. 'I came to the conclusion that even though I didn't see anybody who looked like me in the program — there were no women in the program, no people of color in the program that we could see … But I decided that if I didn't see someone who looked like me I would be the first to try and go break that ceiling.'
Jordan News
22-05-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
9 Daily Habits That Shorten Your Lifespan and Steal Years from You - Jordan News
9 Daily Habits That Shorten Your Lifespan and Steal Years from You It's not just luck or genetics that determine how long we live or how well we age. Our daily habits—often unconscious—could be the real key to either premature aging or enjoying long-lasting health. اضافة اعلان While aging is associated with conditions like dementia, joint pain, mobility issues, and heart disease, research shows that lifestyle choices play an equally critical role as genetics. Certain behaviors that may seem harmless can gradually harm our health and reduce our chances of aging well. 9 Daily Habits That Can Shorten Your Life According to a report from HuffPost, doctors and health experts have warned against the following habits, which can cost you valuable years: 1. Skipping Preventive Healthcare Neglecting preventive medical care is one of the biggest long-term health mistakes, says Dr. Heather Whitson, director of the Duke Center for Aging. Routine screenings—like mammograms, colonoscopies, and vaccinations—are the body's equivalent of car maintenance. Ignoring them shortens the body's lifespan just like skipping car servicing shortens a car's. 2. Social Isolation Dr. Lee Lindquist, chief of geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine, emphasizes that social interaction boosts both mental health and longevity. Surrounding yourself with people who bring joy is essential; constant exposure to negative or "toxic" individuals increases stress and undermines healthy aging. 3. Not Adjusting Medications with Age Continuing to use medications prescribed in earlier decades without reassessment can be dangerous. Some medications may increase fall risk or impair mental capacity as you age. The American Association of Retired Persons warns that anxiety meds can affect memory, and some sleep aids may double fall risk. 4. Skipping Exercise Despite being basic health advice, skipping physical activity remains a common mistake. Exercise improves mood, strengthens bones, supports heart and brain health, and is so beneficial that, as Dr. Whitson says, turning it into a pill would bankrupt the healthcare industry. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. 5. Smoking: A Silent Life-Shortener Smoking remains a top health destroyer, linked to lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, and chronic respiratory illness. Quitting is tough due to addiction, but focusing on a personal reason for quitting and working with a doctor on a cessation plan can make all the difference. 6. Unhealthy Diet Prioritizing a healthy diet significantly improves your odds of healthy aging. Dr. Whitson recommends the Mediterranean diet—rich in fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while minimizing processed foods. It's never too late to adopt better eating habits, but starting younger makes it easier. 7. Poor Sleep Habits Lack of sleep does more than cause fatigue—it raises long-term risks for heart disease and dementia. Conditions like sleep apnea can be especially harmful if untreated. Sleep is not a luxury but a cornerstone of healthy aging. 8. Ignoring Stress Chronic stress—when unmanaged—takes a toll on the body. Dr. Whitson explains that we activate our stress response for non-life-threatening issues, which weakens immunity, disrupts blood pressure, sleep, mood, and metabolism. Managing stress—through therapy or reducing anxiety triggers—is vital. 9. Failing to Plan for Your Future Health Dr. Lindquist stresses the importance of planning not just for the end of life, but for the 'fourth quarter of life'—your 70s, 80s, and 90s. This stage often involves hospital visits, memory issues, and other health challenges. Having a clear care plan can greatly improve your quality of life during these years.
