New date set for Axiom space mission with Saudi participant

The Ax-2 mission, featuring a four-man crew including two Saudi astronauts, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali al-Qarni, has announced a new launch date after a delay.

The mission, which includes the Kingdom’s first Arab female in space, was originally scheduled for May 8 to take off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Launch Update: @NASA, @Axiom_Space, & @SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 5:37 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 21, for launch of Axiom Mission 2 to the @Space_Station. (1/2)

— NASA Space Operations (@NASASpaceOps) May 5, 2023

However, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX postponed the launch last week.

The new launch date is now set for May 21 at 5:37 p.m. EDT, according to NASA.

Go #Ax2! https://t.co/potoYUYdqo pic.twitter.com/OQ9JUxikcM

— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) May 5, 2023

Saudi Arabia’s participation in the mission, announced in February, aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its commitment to contribute to scientific research and space exploration.