Our very own Larry Connor left the planet.
He’s made history this morning as the pilot of Ax-1, the first-ever fully private astronaut mission to take off to the International Space Station. The SpaceX rocket launched from pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex in Florida.
Larry has been working towards today’s launch since 2014. He’s excited about the challenge, research and educational opportunities during the 10-day mission.
“This is absolutely one of the most difficult, challenging things I’ve ever done, ” Larry said. “The extensive training made me realize it’s been a long time since I’ve operated outside of my comfort zone.
“But to truly grow, you have to fail and struggle to get better. I recognize learning and making mistakes, being challenged – while difficult – can be really helpful and productive.”
Larry’s fellow crew members include Michael Lopez-Alegria, a former NASA astronaut, Eytan Stibbe of Israel and Mark Pathy of Canada. While the crew is onboard the ISS, their schedules are filled with 25 different scientific research experiments.
The Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic have partnered with Larry on four different research projects centered around heart, aging, spine and brain tissue.
WATCH: Mayo Clinic Magazine feature on ISS research projects
There’s a major difference between the Ax-1 mission and other spaceflights that have made the headlines recently. Along with the worthwhile research each astronaut will conduct, the Ax-1 crew trained extensively to earn the designation of private astronaut. Larry individually logged more than 1,000 hours of training in preparation for the mission.
“While a space tourist might go up to space for 10 minutes, we’re on a 10-day mission to the Space Station,” Larry said. “We’re doing a combined 25 experiments encompassing over 100 hours of research.”
WATCH: Larry’s Axiom crew profile
Over the next 10 days, Larry will also be talking with our associates from space. He’s planning to answer questions submitted by our people across all of our markets and the CSO. He will also conduct Q & A’s with school students in Dayton, Ohio.
“I hope in some small way, to inspire others to dream big and aim high,” Larry said. “Nothing is impossible.”
Safe travels, Larry!
