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Update: Nine minutes after launch, the Crew Dragon module successfully reached orbit. Here’s our story on that milestone.
SpaceX just became the first for-profit company to launch human astronauts — who are now en route to the International Space Station.
“We’ll talk to you from orbit,” said NASA astronaut Doug Hurley, minutes before liftoff.
At 3:22 pm, NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken started their historic journey on board a Crew Dragon spacecraft atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the historic Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Historic Moment
“Bob, Doug, on behalf of the entire SpaceX team, it’s been a huge honor getting you ready for today’s historic mission,” SpaceX mission control told the two astronauts minutes before launch. “Have an amazing flight and enjoy those views of our beautiful planet.”
If all goes according to plan, arrival at the International Space Station is slated for Sunday around noon Eastern time.
SpaceX has already demonstrated the flightworthiness of its Crew Dragon spacecraft by sending it to the ISS last spring — albeit without any astronauts on board.
We’ll update this post when the astronauts reach orbit.
More on the launch: WATCH THE ASTRONAUTS GIVE THEIR KIDS VIRTUAL HUGS BEFORE LAUNCH