3 years ago327Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk will likely be directing his attention away from the electric carmaker Wednesday, as his SpaceX company is set to launch its first-ever manned spaceflight later in the day.
The launch, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is scheduled for 1:33 p.m., Pacific time, but could be delayed or changed to another day depending upon weather conditions. The mission, called Commercial Crew Demo-2, calls for a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to take NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station.
Targeting 4:33 p.m. EDT today for Falcon 9’s launch of Crew Dragon with @NASA astronauts on board. Teams are closely monitoring launch and downrange weather → https://t.co/bJFjLCilmc pic.twitter.com/XyyT9YgESB
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 27, 2020
In addition to the launch being SpaceX’s first to involve a manned crew, the mission is notable for other reasons. It will be the first time NASA astronauts have launched into space from the United States since 2011, following the end of the Space Shuttle program. It is also the first time a private company, rather than a national government, has sent astronauts into space.
SpaceX will be livestreaming the some of the prelude to the launch, as well as the launch itself.
The launch is also a major step for SpaceX, which intends to start regular deliveries of astronauts and supplies to the ISS, as well as offer seats on flights to well-heeled civilians willing to pay for a ride into Earth orbit.
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