Axe Names Space Academy Crew

Following almost a yearlong campaign, the next generation of space explorers has been revealed at the conclusion of the AXE Apollo Space Academy (A.A.S.A.). With more than one million worldwide entries received, 107 individuals from 60 countries were selected to gather in Cape Canaveral, FL and compete for a chance to travel to space. Under the stewardship of A.A.S.A. head and astronaut legend  Buzz Aldrin, two Americans will join the final 25 elite recruits chosen for this ultimate mission.

While at the AXE Apollo Space Academy, Patrick Carney pushed himself to the limit and challenged his emotional and physical boundaries during a series of missions that gave all recruits a taste of the thrills and trials faced by real astronauts. Throughout these training missions, Carney mastered piloting a multi-ton Air Combat USA aircraft, flipped and soared in true weightlessness with Zero Gravity Corporation, and braced himself for the strength of blast off in a G-Force Simulator at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, demonstrating the skills and spirit required for space travel.

Also joining Carney is Franklin Jackson, who won a ticket to space as part of the A.A.S.A. Super Bowl sweepstakes in February 2013.
Countries representing the A.A.S.A. international team include Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Slovakia, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, India, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and China.

“AXE Apollo is the biggest, most epic campaign we’ve done to-date,” said Matthew McCarthy, AXE senior brand director. “While we certainly wanted to make history by creating an unforgettable experience for our fans like no other brand could, it was seeing the A.A.S.A. finalists in Cape Canaveral, brought together from all over the world, which could arguably be the most meaningful piece of the AXE Apollo Space Academy.”

Jackson and Carney’s journeys will conclude with their flight to space onboard a Space Expedition Corporation (Space SXC) shuttle: XCOR’s LYNX Mark II.