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NASA, SpaceX in Historic Trip to The ISS

Published June 1st, 2020 - 05:53 GMT

Two veteran NASA astronauts were headed for the International Space Station on Saturday after Elon Musk's SpaceX became the first commercial company to launch a rocket carrying humans into orbit, ushering in a new era in space travel.

SpaceX's two-stage Falcon 9 rocket with astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley aboard blasted off flawlessly in a cloud of bright orange flames and smoke from Florida's Kennedy Space Center for a 19-hour voyage to the space station, according to AFP.

"Let's light this candle," Hurley, the mission commander, told SpaceX mission control in Hawthorne, California, before liftoff at 3:22 pm (1922 GMT) from NASA's storied Launch Pad 39A.

The SpaceX launch is the first of American astronauts from US soil since the space shuttle program ended in 2011 and the first crewed flight ever by a private company.

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US President Donald Trump watches the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the manned SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. MANDEL NGAN / AFP

US President Donald Trump watches the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the manned SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. MANDEL NGAN / AFP

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are set to depart for an extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission. Gregg Newton / AFP

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are set to depart for an extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission. Gregg Newton / AFP

US President Donald Trump arrives to speak after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP

US President Donald Trump arrives to speak after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP

Spacex founder Elon Musk celebrates after the successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the manned Crew Dragon spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Earlier in the day NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley lifted off an inaugural flight and will be the first people since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

Spacex founder Elon Musk celebrates after the successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the manned Crew Dragon spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Earlier in the day NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley lifted off an inaugural flight and will be the first people since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

President Donald Trump (L) Second Lady Karen Pence (C) Vice President Mike Pence (R) watch from the rooftop of the Operational Building at NASA during the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Image

President Donald Trump (L) Second Lady Karen Pence (C) Vice President Mike Pence (R) watch from the rooftop of the Operational Building at NASA during the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches into space with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches into space with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley say goodbye to family members after walk ing out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight will be the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley say goodbye to family members after walk ing out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight will be the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks about the weather outlook during a pre-launch briefing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 29, 2020. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (rear) with the Crew Dragon capsule is rescheduled to launch to the International Space Station on May 30, carrying astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Gregg Newton / AFP

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks about the weather outlook during a pre-launch briefing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 29, 2020. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (rear) with the Crew Dragon capsule is rescheduled to launch to the International Space Station on May 30, carrying astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Gregg Newton / AFP

US President Donald Trump speaks near a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule at a press briefing after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP

US President Donald Trump speaks near a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule at a press briefing after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP

US President Donald Trump watches the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the manned SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. MANDEL NGAN / AFP
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are set to depart for an extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission. Gregg Newton / AFP
US President Donald Trump arrives to speak after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP
Spacex founder Elon Musk celebrates after the successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the manned Crew Dragon spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Earlier in the day NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley lifted off an inaugural flight and will be the first people since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
President Donald Trump (L) Second Lady Karen Pence (C) Vice President Mike Pence (R) watch from the rooftop of the Operational Building at NASA during the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Image
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches into space with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley say goodbye to family members after walk ing out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight will be the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks about the weather outlook during a pre-launch briefing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 29, 2020. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (rear) with the Crew Dragon capsule is rescheduled to launch to the International Space Station on May 30, carrying astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Gregg Newton / AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks near a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule at a press briefing after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP
US President Donald Trump watches the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the manned SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. MANDEL NGAN / AFP
US President Donald Trump watches the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the manned SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station. MANDEL NGAN / AFP
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are set to depart for an extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission. Gregg Newton / AFP
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020. NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are set to depart for an extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission. Gregg Newton / AFP
US President Donald Trump arrives to speak after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP
US President Donald Trump arrives to speak after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP
Spacex founder Elon Musk celebrates after the successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the manned Crew Dragon spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Earlier in the day NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley lifted off an inaugural flight and will be the first people since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
Spacex founder Elon Musk celebrates after the successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the manned Crew Dragon spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Earlier in the day NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley lifted off an inaugural flight and will be the first people since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
President Donald Trump (L) Second Lady Karen Pence (C) Vice President Mike Pence (R) watch from the rooftop of the Operational Building at NASA during the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Image
President Donald Trump (L) Second Lady Karen Pence (C) Vice President Mike Pence (R) watch from the rooftop of the Operational Building at NASA during the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches into space with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches into space with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley aboard the rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight is the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Saul Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley say goodbye to family members after walk ing out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight will be the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (R) and Doug Hurley say goodbye to family members after walk ing out of the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The inaugural flight will be the first manned mission since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 to be launched into space from the United States. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks about the weather outlook during a pre-launch briefing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 29, 2020. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (rear) with the Crew Dragon capsule is rescheduled to launch to the International Space Station on May 30, carrying astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Gregg Newton / AFP
Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks about the weather outlook during a pre-launch briefing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 29, 2020. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (rear) with the Crew Dragon capsule is rescheduled to launch to the International Space Station on May 30, carrying astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Gregg Newton / AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks near a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule at a press briefing after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks near a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule at a press briefing after the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30, 2020. Trump travels to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the MANDEL NGAN / AFP

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