Local entrepreneur, Larry Connor, to pilot first-ever private mission to International Space Station

MIAMI TWP., Montgomery County — Dayton real estate and technology entrepreneur Larry Connor will pilot the “first-ever entirely private mission proposed to fly to the International Space Station,” Axiom Space, a Houston based company announced today.

The first launch opportunity for Connor will come no earlier than January next year aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.

“I believe space is the last great frontier,” Connor said. “I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of this historic mission.”

>>Man from Dayton to take part in historic space mission

Connor is the founder and managing partner of The Connor Group, which is based in Miami Twp. near Austin Landing.

Connor is no stranger to flying. He began flying in 2007 and has flown 16 different aircraft, including an F-5 fighter jet.

Joining Connor for the flight will be former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, who also is the VP of Axiom. Also flying to space aboard the private will be Eytan Stibbe, of Isreal, and Mark Pathy, of Canada.

Axiom said it intends to offer private and national astronaut flights to ISS at a rate of up to two per year to align with flight opportunities as they are made available by NASA, while simultaneously constructing its own privately funded space station.

Cox Media Group