Axiom 3 crew next to Falcon 9 rocket

Axiom 3 crew next to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.

From left to right, ESA project astronaut and mission specialist Marcus Wandt, pilot Walter Villadei, commander Michael López-Alegría and mission specialist Alper Gezeravcı.

Marcus Wandt from Sweden will travel to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3). He will spend up to 14 days in orbit conducting microgravity research and educational activities.

Marcus is the first of a new generation of European astronauts to fly on a commercial human spaceflight opportunity with Axiom Space. His mission is supported by ESA and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA).

Marcus Wandt was selected in November 2022 as a member of the ESA astronaut reserve after a year-long selection process. The 2022 ESA recruitment campaign received over 22 5000 applications from across its Member States.