LazyHippo Posted May 30, 2020 Posted May 30, 2020 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX launched astronauts for the first time ever today, making history and opening a new age of commercial spaceflight. A shiny white Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from historic Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center here today (May 30) at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT), carrying SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule into orbit. The launch kicked off SpaceX's landmark Demo-2 mission, which is sending NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station (ISS). Demo-2 marks the return of orbital human spaceflight to U.S. soil after a nearly decade-long absence, and it signals the beginning of a new era in space exploration — one led by commercial companies. "It was incredible," Hurley radioed SpaceX's launch control. " I appreciate all the hard work and thanks for a great ride to space." President Donald Trump and Vice President Michael Pence were on hand to watch the launch live from the Kennedy Space Center. Trump told reporters ahead of today's launch that he felt an obligation as president to watch the historic liftoff. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, launches two NASA austronauts into orbit on a Crew Dragon spacecraft from Pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. (credit:NASA/YouTube) Shortly after launching the Hurley and Behnken into orbit, SpaceX also notched another rocket landing under its belt. The Falcon 9 booster's first stage made a smooth landing on SpaceX's drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Today's launch was originally scheduled to occur on Wednesday (May 27), but bad weather forced the NASA-SpaceX team to scrub that attempt about 20 minutes before liftoff. In addition to Trump and Pence, huge crowds were expected to watch the SpaceX's first crewed launch. While NASA cautioned space fans not to travel to the launch due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the launch took place as Florida is reopening its businesses. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex, for example, reopened its doors on May 28. A day earlier, the first launch attempt drew an estimated 150,000 spectators to Florida's Space Coasts. NASA astronauts Bob Behknen (front) and Doug Hurley ride SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon to carry humans into orbit. A toy dinosaur hitched a ride with the crew. (credit: NASA TV) 1 1 Quote
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