Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket launches two Nasa astronauts into orbit in historic manned mission

TWO Nasa astronauts lifted off from the launch pad of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday in a SpaceX rocket to start their historic mission to the International Space Station.

The attempt is the first ever crewed space launch by a private company and follows last week's cancellation due to fears of a lightning storm.

Despite more bad weather looming, the SpaceX team moved ahead with preparations and were soon rewarded with clear skies and the go-ahead for takeoff.

Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley soared into the atmosphere, accompanied by applause from the SpaceX and Nasa teams.

The flight has so far gone as planned, with Falcon 9 rocket's main stage having already returned to earth and landed on its sea pad in the Atlantic Ocean.

The second stage of the launch, which sees the rocket light up its own engine and accelerate Behnken and Hurley's capsule to orbital velocity, was also successful.

The pair now have 19 hours before they dock at the ISS on Sunday morning.

Read more
Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket launches two Nasa astronauts into orbit in historic manned mission to ISS as Trump watches on

From Brexit breaking news to HD movie trailers, The Sun newspaper brings you the latest news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world.

Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know

[winterblain]

Lucky for those two never chose better time to leave earth.. year 2020

[hahashi]

That's where the money should be spent instead of into military

[theylied]

My favorite quote of the day came from Elon Musk. CNN reporter ask must if he had talked to president Trump, Elon Musk just gave a deadpan look and said no.

[shanshanjohnson]

😂😂😂 just watched this in South Park season 20 but he was trying to get to mars in the episode 😒 interesting

[santallum]

No bad for a fella who smokes spliffs on Rogan !

[knightstemplar]

I hope these astronauts are practicing social distancing, and is this essential travel. Prepare for a fine when you get back.

[miaamanda]

Congratulations to the astronauts that left Earth today. Good choice.

[broncoalba]

0:05 light blue daytime sky with clouds...
0:11 dark blue nighttime sky...
0:55 light blue sky with no clouds...

Incredible considering it all happens in like a 6 second time frame!

[madasahatter]

Wish I was going with them. Pretty sure most of humanity does too! 😂

[geofham]

Is this the peak of social distancing?

[rhysrigley]

The future is smiling in classrooms hearing how they came to be born and live not on Earth :)
Relief for this success :)

[narrativequestion]

looks so fake, it must be real!!! lets hope they dont crash in to the car that elon put in to space.

[hattiessquishies]

I love rockets and I saw it out of my window and I live in England!

[kingdan]

Erm Eddie bravo respectfully disapproves this.

[xehP]

Unbelievable stuff, seriously Elon is a legend for this.

[TerrierMartello]

Let's all agree we didn't search for this, because we didn't. People dont search for this, we search for memes, cats and whatever it is we search for other than memes and cats. Ok, so were all in agreement that:
*YOU DIDN'T SEARCH FOR THIS*

[solucky]

Some people can be counted on to believe anything!

[L_U-K_E]

Was anyone else at the launch scene distracted by trumps hair blowing

[richie]

I just hope the tv's are stuck on well. You wouldn't want one of them hitting you at 1000mph

[Exploration-hy]

Anyone else spot the wires on the two man like a harness making them float very fishy