For the first time in history, NASA astronauts have launched from American soil in a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft on its way to the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley lifted off at 3:22 p.m. EDT Saturday on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft successfully docked with ISS last night and made history.
Below are some exciting moments captured through the lens of camera before the launch to the successful docking.
The static fire of Falcon 9 Before Launch– targeted on Wednesday, May 27 at 4:33 p.m. EDT for Crew Dragon’s launch to the ISS with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on board!
![Credit: SpaceX](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Sapcex2-compressed-1024x576.jpg)
![Credit: SpaceX](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Sapcex2-compressed-1024x576.jpg)
SpaceX and NASA completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley ahead of Crew Demo-2!
![NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley before Crew Dragon flight!](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex7-compressed-1024x683.jpg)
![NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley before Crew Dragon flight!](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex7-compressed-1024x683.jpg)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft is launched from Launch Complex 39A on NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley onboard, Saturday, May 30, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.
![Moment of historic launch. CREDIT: NASA/Bill Ingalls](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex9-compressed-1-1024x596.jpg)
![Moment of historic launch. CREDIT: NASA/Bill Ingalls](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex9-compressed-1-1024x596.jpg)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft is seen in this false-color infrared exposure as it is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley onboard, Saturday, May 30, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
![CREDIT: NASA/Bill Ingalls](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex10-compressed-1024x680.jpg)
![CREDIT: NASA/Bill Ingalls](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex10-compressed-1024x680.jpg)
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule approaches the International Space Station ahead of docking Sunday.
![CREDIT: NASA TELEVISION](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex11-compressed.jpg)
![CREDIT: NASA TELEVISION](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex11-compressed.jpg)
Crew Dragon spacecraft docked with the International Space Station, just minutes before the station crossed into Earth’s shadow, on May 31, 2020.
![CREDIT: NASA TELEVISION](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex12-compressed.jpg)
![CREDIT: NASA TELEVISION](https://scientiamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Spacex12-compressed.jpg)
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, far right, joining the crew at the International Space Station, after the SpaceX Dragon capsule docked with the station on Sunday.Credit.
CREDIT: NASA
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