SpaceX launched four astronauts aboard a privately built craft late Sunday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the second time the company has sent American astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil.
The Falcon 9 Rocket launched around 7:30pm EST, carrying aboard three American astronauts — Commander Mike Hopkins, Shannon Walker, and Victor Glover — and one Japanese astronaut, Soichi Noguchi, reports the Associated Press.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/Unf1ScdVFB
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 16, 2020
The four crew members are traveling aboard the Dragon capsule — which rests on top of the Falcon 9 rocket during launch, but later detaches from it — and are expected to reach the ISS late Monday evening, around 27 hours after lift-off. The crew have nicknamed the Dragon capsule “Resilience,” a nod to the tumultuous events of the year.
The crew is go for launch pic.twitter.com/HqJGin0gg7
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 16, 2020
Earlier this month, NASA certified the SpaceX human spaceflight system, the first time the American space agency has ever done so for a commercial system. “I could not be more proud of everyone at SpaceX and all of our suppliers who worked incredibly hard to develop, test, and fly the first commercial human spaceflight system in history to be certified by NASA,” said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in response to the certification.
“This is a great honor that inspires confidence in our endeavor to return to the Moon, travel to Mars, and ultimately help humanity become multi-planetary,” said Musk, echoing remarks he made after SpaceX successfully returned astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley from the ISS aboard a Dragon capsule.
“I think this is something that the whole world can take some pleasure in, and can really look at this as an achievement of humanity,” said Musk back in August. “These are difficult times when — you know, there’s not that much good news — and I think this is one of those things that is universally good no matter where you are on planet Earth, this is a good thing, and I hope it brightens your day.”
Musk, who heads several other tech companies, including Tesla and Neuralink, did not attend the Sunday evening launch, as he believes that he currently has the coronavirus.
However, Vice President Mike Pence, who chairs the National Space Council, traveled to Florida with second lady Karen Pence to attend the launch, along with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.
We Are Go For Launch! Godspeed @Astro_illini, @AstroVicGlover, Shannon Walker, & @Astro_Soichi! Our Prayers Go With You! #LaunchAmerica 🇺🇸
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) November 16, 2020
Pence also attended the first NASA-manned SpaceX launch back in May, along with President Donald Trump, who observed at the time: “It’s incredible. The technology, the power. I’m so proud of the people at NASA, all the people that worked together — public and private — when you see a sight like that, it’s incredible.”
“When you feel the shake, and we’re very far away, but you feel the shake over here, it’s pretty amazing,” said Trump.
President Trump and @VP Pence watch @NASA @SpaceX Crew Dragon Launch https://t.co/jHxQS53v3F #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/GfFgJjD0Bc
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 30, 2020