Eytan Stibbe (far right) with Axiom Space Crew (Promo Pic)
Axiom Space is readying the first flight of private individuals into space. It will achieve a low orbit of the Earth. Three very wealthy men paid $55 million apiece for the opportunity, including the Israeli investor Eytan Stibbe.
They will fly into space on a rocket made by SpaceX, a company owned by Elon Musk. The crew will launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida on a SpaceX Dragon Capsule. It will take up to two days for them to reach the International Space Station where they are expected toll spend eight days.
Eytan M. Stibbe is the founding director of Vital Capital Fund. He has been involved in investment in Africa for the past 26 years. Mr. Stibbe studied Mathematics & Computer Science at Bar Ilan University and completed his Master’s degree in Business Administration at the European University, Belgium.
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The first private ISS crew in the history of humankind has been assembled.
Commander Michael López-Alegría
Mission Pilot Larry Connor
Mission Specialist Mark Pathy
Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe
Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1): The start of a new era. pic.twitter.com/vBlr0ASRhj
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) January 26, 2021
Stibbe plans to conduct scientific experiments of Israeli researchers and entrepreneurs coordinated by the Ramon Foundation and the Israel Space Agency at the Ministry of Science & Technology and to undertake educational activities from orbit to inspire Israeli children, youth, and educators.
“We sought to put together a crew for this historic mission that had demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of the people on Earth, and I’m glad to say we’ve done that with this group,” Axiom Space President & CEO Michael Suffredini said.
“This is just the first of several Axiom Space crews whose private missions to the International Space Station will truly inaugurate an expansive future for humans in space – and make a meaningful difference in the world when they return home.”
Axiom Space Craft (Promo Pic)
Former NASA astronaut and Axiom vice president Michael López-Alegría will serve as the mission commander.
“This collection of pioneers – the first space crew of its kind – represents a defining moment in humanity’s eternal pursuit of exploration and progress,” López-Alegría said.
“I know from firsthand experience that what humans encounter in space is profound and propels them to make more meaningful contributions on returning to Earth. And as much as any astronaut who has come before them, the members of this crew have accomplished the sorts of things in life that equip them to accept that responsibility, act on that revelation, and make a truly global impact.
