30 years ago Miguel López-Alegría (Madrid, 1958) boarded a spacecraft for the first time and currently has no plans to stop flying. After completing four missions with NASA, breaking the record for spacewalks (10) and accumulated time outside a spacecraft, he joined the company Axiom Space, inaugurating in 2022 the new era of private astronauts.
From this Houston-based company, he has already led two missions to the International Space Station (ISS) composed for the first time of crew members not affiliated with any agency, carrying both the Spanish and American flags (he holds dual nationality). "It is possible that I will return to space in 2026, but it is not yet certain. We have recruited a Japanese astronaut who was at NASA and it is still to be decided whether he or I will go," he shares during an interview in Madrid, where he received an award from the Spanish Geographical Society (SGE).
His visit to Spain coincided with the week in which two of his NASA colleagues, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, have captured worldwide attention by finally returning after a nine-month stay at the ISS. The crew members of the troubled and controversial test mission of Boeing's Starliner, popularly known as the 'stranded' or 'trapped' astronauts in space, were supposed to stay for only about 10 days, but due to technical issues in their vehicle - helium leaks and propulsion system problems - NASA decided in August that they would return on another spacecraft - a Crew Dragon from SpaceX - during the routine crew change at the ISS.
You astronauts are trained to deal with the unexpected and uncertainty, but what did you think of the significant extension of Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore's mission from 10 days to over nine months?
Undoubtedly, especially at the beginning, it was difficult because they didn't know when they would return. They had issues during the docking of the Starliner capsule to the ISS due to the propulsion system. For several weeks, NASA tested the capsule because they were unsure if they could return in it or stay. Once the decision was made [for the Starliner to return empty and for them to return in another spacecraft], they were quite reassured because, as you say, we are prepared for it. Resources were not lacking, they had enough food and clothing, and most importantly, things to do: experiments, Station maintenance, and activities to keep them occupied. There has been a lot of noise in the media, especially in American media, about this situation. There has been much ado about nothing.
These two astronauts were also asked about the political controversy, as Donald Trump and Elon Musk accused the Biden administration of abandoning them... I suppose getting involved in those controversies is not pleasant for you.
We really don't feel like it. NASA's policy has always been to stay out of politics. I think they have pushed things a bit. I have heard statements from Suni saying they didn't feel abandoned and there was no issue, but of course, politicians always want to take advantage of any situation for their benefit. The impression that they were rescued by SpaceX is completely false. It was a mission with a SpaceX capsule, yes, but like any other mission, because NASA always purchases SpaceX's services to transport their astronauts. They were testing Boeing's capsule, which is another provider, as initially there should be two NASA missions per year, one with SpaceX's spacecraft and another with Boeing's, but for now, it's not done that way because it's still in development. It will be ready at some point.
The statement that NASA released after the splashdown included comments from the acting director, Janet Petro, stating that "at the direction of President Trump, NASA and SpaceX worked diligently to expedite the return by a month." It's surprising to include a political comment like that in a NASA statement.
I found it quite unprecedented, it's not something that is usually done. Janet Petro is in a difficult position because her position is temporary, and she has to say what she is told. I know her personally, not very well, but I was surprised that she said that, I believe she didn't have another choice.
Asked about Elon Musk's words, who said that the mission extension was due to political reasons and not technical ones, and that he had offered to send a spacecraft to bring them back to Earth, Butch Wilmore affirmed a few days ago that it was true.
NASA has an annual budget to send astronauts to the ISS. Roughly, sending a spacecraft can cost 250 million dollars, which is a lot of money. Surely Elon Musk offered to send a spacecraft to NASA, but from my point of view, it wasn't a serious offer.
Last summer, a NASA executive already said they were not considering sending a spacecraft solely to bring them back early. If there had been a risk to their lives, I understand they would have sent one.
Yes, and as Butch said, they were doing what they had trained for their whole lives. So why would a vehicle with such a high cost be sent to rescue them if there was no danger, beyond the usual risks of being in space.
You have flown on three different spacecraft. In the Russian Soyuz, on the NASA shuttle, and on the Crew Dragon from SpaceX. What do you think is happening with Boeing's Starliner that is not ready yet, while SpaceX's Crew Dragon has been operational since 2020?
It's hard to understand, really, because 10 years ago, when both companies (SpaceX and Boeing) were working in parallel to develop their respective spacecraft, I would have bet on Boeing because they have all the experience and have worked with NASA for decades. However, and although I don't know what problems they have had, they must have been quite serious. What is true is that they are used to a certain type of contract, where the Government or the contracting party makes all the decisions about materials, manufacturing methods, etc., and hires a company like Boeing to carry it out. However, with this other type of contract, NASA specifies the requirements, asks the companies to build the vehicle they want, and if it meets the requirements, they pay for the service. This model greatly favors a young, agile, and innovative company, and Boeing is not that. I think they are finding it challenging to adapt to this business model.
How long did it take you to recover when you returned to Earth after spending seven months in space and after shorter missions of several weeks?
The first thing you notice is that you have difficulty walking, you lose balance, it's like being drunk; if you close your eyes, you fall, and this usually recovers in a day or two after a two or three-week space mission. But after a longer mission, it can take a week. And then, for much longer, you feel weak, more tired, everything weighs on you. It is said that for each day in space, you need another day to recover, so if you spent two weeks, you need two weeks. When I spent seven months, I didn't take seven months to recover, but several months.
Do you have trouble sleeping when you return home?
No. And in space, falling asleep is easy, but staying asleep is a bit challenging because you don't have that pleasant feeling of lying down, so you wake up at night. You want to turn over but you can't, although you also get used to it.
Has the food they eat in space improved?
Yes, it's gradually getting better. It's not bad.
What was the toughest part for you of being there for seven months?
Physically, having to do two and a half hours of exercise every day. Some people like it, but I don't really. And emotionally, the separation from family and friends, and missing terrestrial life, but you know you will return someday, and it helps a lot to be able to see Earth. I always think about the people who will go to Mars, when they look back, they won't be able to see it. Now on the ISS, I can call any terrestrial phone and talk more or less normally, but on a trip to Mars, as you move away from Earth, you won't be able to call. It will be very tough because they will be there for several years.
Would you go to Mars?
No, I'm not interested. To the Moon, yes.
In his inauguration speech, Donald Trump said the US would go to Mars, and Elon Musk assures he will send an unmanned Starship there in two years, although in its last two tests, the spacecraft exploded. Do you think it's possible?
I don't see it, not even without people. Because just to take the Starship module to the Moon, the vehicle has to refuel when it reaches Earth's orbit to be able to go to the Moon and back. So, if it has to refuel to go 400,000 km, I don't see how it will go to Mars without refueling. I find it very difficult.
Do you think the Artemis program to return to the Moon will be maintained or is it at risk due to the Mars goal? There have also been rumors that NASA's lunar rocket SLS could be replaced by Elon Musk's Starship.
It's still uncertain. We know Elon's intentions, but it's not a decision that can be made lightly. The US Congress has a lot to say about space programs because they approve the budget and have the final say. There are many congressmen very interested in maintaining missions to the Moon because they create jobs in their districts. I believe the return to the Moon will be maintained, although it remains to be seen if with the SLS rocket or with the Starship. The most important thing for the US Government is that we are in a race with China, I don't know if we are ahead or behind, but if we change horses in the middle of the race, we will surely lose. This is also important.
Do you see China with the possibility of sending humans to the Moon by the end of this decade?
I believe so because what is needed to go to space is money, and China is investing a lot of money, there are even many private companies. China is a significant threat, and Western countries need to focus on making an effort not to lose the advantage we have, if we still have it.
Is your company, Axiom, considering missions to the Moon in the future?
Not at the moment. We are an Earth orbit company, but this could change. The Moon still doesn't offer the possibility of making money like Earth orbit, as governments are handing over that field to private companies.
In Axiom's private missions, ESA reservist astronaut Marcus Wandt from Sweden has already flown to the ISS (on Axiom-3), and this year, on Axiom-4, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski will fly as their respective governments have purchased their seats. We also have a reservist, Sara García, and there is initial interest from the Spanish government for her to go to space. What possibilities do you see?
As a Spaniard, I would like and hope to see more Spaniards in space. It seems like a beautiful opportunity to have two astronauts now, Pablo Álvarez and Sara García. Initially, Pablo will go to space with the European Space Agency (ESA), and it is very possible that Sara could go up with a private company like ours. I believe it could be a great inspiration for the country, especially for young women, as she is a great spokesperson; and we are willing to do everything possible to facilitate that mission. It would be very nice to have a Spanish astronaut go to space.
Approximately how much would it cost Spain to buy a seat for Sara García to go to the ISS with your company?
We cannot disclose the figure, but it is tens of millions of dollars.
Axiom is also developing a private orbital space station. What is the current status and how will it be?
Recently, we changed the plan in collaboration with NASA, which has contracted SpaceX to develop a vehicle to deorbit the ISS, meaning to bring it down [when it becomes obsolete from 2030 onwards]. That vehicle will be placed where we were going to put the first module of our station. So now we have decided to launch a module as before, which will dock at another location on the ISS, allowing us to transfer scientific equipment from the ISS when not in use. Later, we will launch another independent module. With two modules, we will have a habitable station for conducting experiments.
When will you launch the first module of your station?
In the first quarter of 2027, most likely with a Falcon Heavy rocket.
What activities will be possible on the Axiom space station? Will tourists go?
Tourism is not the right word because it will require a year of training, which is too much for a tourist. Private astronauts who have come on our missions have carried out experiments in collaboration with hospitals or research centers. It is very similar to what is done on NASA or ESA missions, so for me, that is not tourism, it is science. We have customers who pay for their own ticket and others who are representatives of states, like the reservist astronauts we have mentioned.
Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic offer suborbital flights lasting a few minutes, like the one adventurer Jesús Calleja took a month ago, considered the third Spaniard in space after you and Pedro Duque. What do you think about equating it, even though it is a very brief trip requiring much less preparation?
I think that is indeed space tourism and has its place in the range of space activities. I consider Jesús an astronaut because he went above 100 kilometers, although there are different types of astronauts. There is a significant debate about this. Additionally, in the US, the space boundary is above 80 kilometers (50 miles), and in the rest of the world, it is 100 km.
As a private astronaut now, do you have to follow a similar program to when you were at NASA? Do you continue training or only when a mission is approaching?
Annual medical tests must be passed, which depend a lot on genetics and lifestyle. Personally, as I always look forward to going up again whenever there is an opportunity, I try to stay in shape and train, but I am not very strict. I don't follow a training regimen like an Olympic athlete.