SpaceX rocket carrying four private citizens takes off for the International Space Station. What you should know

(CNN) — A SpaceX rocket carrying three and a former NASA astronaut lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday morning, kicking off a first-of-its-kind mission that will take the group on a 10-day mission. days to the International Space Station (ISS).
The spacecraft, which separated from the rocket after reaching orbit, is now flying freely through orbit and will spend all of this Friday slowly maneuvering closer to the ISS, where it is scheduled to dock on Saturday around 7:45 a.m. am ET. The trip was managed by the Houston, Texas-based startup Axiom Space, which is looking to book rocket trips, provide all the necessary training and coordinate flights to the ISS for anyone who can afford it. It’s all in line with the US government and private sector goal of boosting commercial activity on the ISS and beyond. Aboard this mission, called AX-1, are Michael Lopez-Alegría, a former NASA astronaut turned Axiom employee who commands the mission; Israeli businessman Eytan Stibbe; Canadian investor Mark Pathy; and Ohio-based real estate mogul Larry Connor.