SpaceX's New Crew Access Tower Set for Historic Private Astronaut Mission

SpaceX is preparing to use its new crew access tower at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Cape Canaveral for its first Crew Dragon launch with astronauts, potentially in January. Axiom Space's third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is likely to be the debut mission for the new tower, as Launch Complex-39A has a packed schedule. The mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría and will send three European astronauts to the ISS for up to 14 days. The new tower will provide SpaceX with an additional launch pad option and help accommodate the increasing demand for ISS missions.