After a 3-day delay, the NASA x Space X rocket launch took off on Saturday and successfully made it into orbit. With 10 million people watching, Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken embarked on their 3-week journey to the International Space Station.
This launch is historic in that it’s the first manned rocket launch for Elon Musk’s Space X. It’s also the first launch from American soil since 2011 according to CNN. The rocket took off from Kennedy Space Station in Florida.
The launch was live-streamed across news platforms and on NASA’s YouTube channel. President Trump was in Florida to watch the takeoff of the Crew Dragon rocket live.
The launch was supposed to take place on Wednesday but weather concerns delayed the takeoff to Saturday. In a post-launch interview, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine addressed his feeling of watching the rocket take flight.
“I’ve heard that rumble before, but it’s a whole different feeling when you’ve got your own team on that rocket. They are our team. They are America’s team,” Bridenstine said.
It took about 10 minutes for the rocket to reach orbit. The Crew Dragon is expected to dock at 10:27 a.m. on Sunday making Hurley and Behnken’s trip 19 hours long.