The SpaceX launch was supposed to happen in the middle of the week but had to be postponed due to weather conditions.
The launch finally took place on Saturday afternoon and it was amazing.
It’s a historic moment as well.
FOX News reports:
SpaceX makes history, launches NASA astronauts into space from US soil for the first time since 2011
SpaceX has launched NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on their historic Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is the first time that astronauts have launched from American soil since the final Space Shuttle flight in 2011.
Hurley and Behnken blasted off from Kennedy Space Center’s historic launch pad 39A, which was also used for the Apollo and space shuttle programs, at 3:22 p.m. ET Saturday. An attempt on Wednesday was scrubbed due to weather conditions.
The launch is the first time a private company, rather than a national government, has sent astronauts into orbit.
There were concerns that bad weather would force Saturday’s launch to be scrubbed, but the mission was able to proceed as planned. President Trump and Vice President Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, watched the launch from Kennedy Space Center.
Watch the launch below:
What an amazing achievement!
Today is the culmination of three and a half years of renewed leadership in space. It’s a tribute to the courage of our astronauts, American ingenuity at @NASA & @SpaceX, the support of the American people & the vision and leadership of President @realDonaldTrump. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/YKck3CQ2Gy
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) May 31, 2020
We did it 🚀
In partnership with @SpaceX, we successfully launched @NASA_Astronauts to space from U.S. soil. Here’s a recap of today’s historic #LaunchAmerica mission with @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug who are on their journey to the @Space_Station : https://t.co/Y0vkPwKJSp pic.twitter.com/oJlMl20Cci
— NASA (@NASA) May 31, 2020
The United States of America can do extraordinary things even in challenging times. Our best days are ahead of us.
Thank you to the @NASA and @SpaceX family for providing our country with this extraordinary moment of hope. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/ek0hS6C0x5
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) May 31, 2020
This is only the beginning!
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