SpaceX launched four astronauts from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center early Friday on the company’s third mission carrying humans to the International Space Station.
As the second long-duration mission flying via SpaceX Crew Dragon, the four astronauts — two American, one Japanese and one European — make up the Crew-2 mission.
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NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet launched Friday at 5:49 a.m. in the SpaceX Crew Dragon atop the Falcon 9 rocket.
The astronauts are now traveling in the Dragon Endeavour to the space station and will arrive Saturday morning.
Central Floridians were watching the sky Friday morning as the Crew-2 mission launched from the Space Coast.
Here are some of the best photos of the mission:
Watching the @SpaceX launch from Florida's fastest launch coaster. 👀 🚀 pic.twitter.com/omQxImrQuE
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) April 23, 2021
#Crew2 view from ＳＰΛＣΞＵ 🚀✨ pic.twitter.com/DldafplKDh
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 23, 2021
Liftoff! The Crew-2 mission lifts off on a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from @NASAKennedy and is on the way to @Space_Station. More launch photos coming, keep checking back! https://t.co/56Am0ERBaK pic.twitter.com/cyOfCJMqtr
— NASA HQ PHOTO (@nasahqphoto) April 23, 2021
Spectacular launch of the #CREW2 mission to the ISS this morning by @Spacex! Hard-working booster B1061 bent a leg on the Crew-1 flight, but nailed the landing this time. The "after party" noctilucent glow was simply amazing, then the rocket "set" over Jetty Park pier. 🥳 pic.twitter.com/9mwnUphhxK
— JohnCn (@JConcilus) April 23, 2021
Wow #Falcon9 is putting on a show. #Crew2 pic.twitter.com/VRmZVLefIH
— Emilee Speck (@EMSpeck) April 23, 2021
St. Augustine pic.twitter.com/lWQHVpsnel
— Michael Avenaughty (@NaughtyMicheal) April 23, 2021
Amazing. #crew2 #orlando #spacex pic.twitter.com/RCeG7g6dq4
— Astro Anthro (@Astro_ANTH) April 23, 2021
My word... the #Crew2 #SpaceX #Falcon9 launch from Daytona Beach! pic.twitter.com/rM3AT9tP3W
— Chris G - NSF (@ChrisG_NSF) April 23, 2021
Liftoff #Crew2 and Dragon! pic.twitter.com/HPT1YIjZMj
— Emilee Speck (@EMSpeck) April 23, 2021
Absolutely stunning launch for #Crew2! Perfect timing with sunrise! The #Falcon9 lit up the sky bringing 4 astronauts to orbit! #SpaceX #LaunchAmerica
— Richard Angle (@RDAnglePhoto) April 23, 2021
Covered for @Teslarati pic.twitter.com/qrvOEdFnQh