‘Endeavour launches once again’: NASA, SpaceX’s Crew-2 mission lifts off from Space Coast

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Four astronauts are on their way to the International Space Station after launching from the Space Coast on Friday.

NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet boarded the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft.

It is the second crew rotation flight of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the space station, and the first to carry two international crew members.

READ: Crew-2 mission: Meet the 4 astronauts set to lift off from the Space Coast

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Space X Crew Launch A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA's SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide onboard, Friday, April 23, 2021, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via AP) (Aubrey Gemignani)

Photos: SpaceX launches 4 astronauts on reused capsule, rocket to International Space Station In this image made from NASA video, NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide are seen in the cockpit of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft after lift off for the Crew-2 mission from Launch Complex 39A, Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (NASA via AP)

SpaceX launches 3rd crew in under year, fly on reused rocket In this image made from NASA video, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off for the Crew-2 mission carrying NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide from Launch Complex 39A, Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (NASA via AP)

Photos: SpaceX launches 4 astronauts on reused capsule, rocket to International Space Station In this image made from NASA video, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off for the Crew-2 mission carrying NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide from Launch Complex 39A, Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (NASA via AP)

SpaceX Crew Launch The Crew Dragon space capsule astronauts, from front left; NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and back row European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide leave the Operation and Checkout Building on their way to board the capsule for a mission to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (Uncredited)

SpaceX Crew Launch The Crew Dragon space capsule astronauts, from front left, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide leave the Operation and Checkout Building on their way to board the capsule for a mission to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (Uncredited)

Photos: SpaceX launches 4 astronauts on reused capsule, rocket to International Space Station NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough, left, and Megan McArthur, right, wave farewell, as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-2 mission launch with crew mates ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, Friday, April 23, 2021, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via AP)

SpaceX Crew Launch Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide smiles as he talks to family and friends after leaving the operations and checkout building before a launch attempt Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, right, and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough greet family members after leaving the operations and checkout building before a launch attempt Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide waves to family and friends after leaving the operations and checkuot building before a launch attempt Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, of France, left, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide wave as they leave the operations and checkout building before a launch attempt Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk, left, and Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk, right, watch as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-2 mission launch, Friday, April 23, 2021, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via AP) (Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew Launch NASA acting administrator Steve Jurczyk, center, and SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, right, arrive for the walkout of the SpaceX crew before a launch attempt Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch A SpaceX rocket with the company's Dragon capsule is illuminated by spotlights on the launch pad, early Friday, April 23, 2021, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. SpaceX aimed to launch its third crew a little before sunrise Friday, this time using a recycled capsule and rocket. The four astronauts, representing the U.S., Japan and France, were supposed to fly to the International Space Station on Thursday. But liftoff was delayed because of poor weather offshore. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP) (Joel Kowsky)

SpaceX Crew Launch SpaceX astronauts, from left, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, leave the operations and checkout building for a trip to the launch pad Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch NASA acting administrator Steve Jurczyk, left and SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk arrive for the walkout of the SpaceX crew before a launch attempt Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch This Sunday, April 18, 2021 photo made available by SpaceX shows, from left, NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide during a dress rehearsal at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for their Thursday, April 22 launch. For the first time, NASA is putting its trust in a recycled SpaceX rocket and capsule for a crew. (SpaceX via AP) (Uncredited)

SpaceX Crew Launch In this Wednesday, April 21, 2021 photo provided by NASA, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard sits on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., at sunset. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide are scheduled for a Friday launch. (NASA/Joel Kowsky) (Joel Kowsky)

SpaceX Crew Launch In this image made from NASA video, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off for the Crew-2 mission carrying NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide from Launch Complex 39A, Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (NASA via AP) (Uncredited)

SpaceX Crew Launch Members of the SpaceX Crew 2, from left, Thomas Pesquet, of the European Space Agency, NASA astronauts Megan McArthur, Shane Kimbrough, and Akihiko Hoshide, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, are shown on a video screen as the SpaceX Falcon 9 with the crew Dragon capsule sits on Launch Complex 39A Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)

SpaceX Crew Launch FILE - In this Friday, April 16, 2021 file photo, SpaceX Crew 2 members, from left, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide gather at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. This is the most internationally diverse crew yet for SpaceX. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX This undated photo made available by SpaceX in April 2021 shows the crew for its third astronaut launch to the International Space Station, during a training session at the SpaceX training facility in Hawthorne, Calif. From left are mission specialist Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency, pilot Megan McArthur and commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA, and mission specialist Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. (SpaceX via AP) (Uncredited)

SpaceX Crew Launch Kennedy Space Center director Bob Cabana, center, welcomes SpaceX Crew 2 astronauts, from left, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur as they arrive at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, April 16, 2021. The launch to the International Space Station is targeted for April 22. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

The astronauts are traveling to the International Space Station for a six-month science mission in the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which will launch on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A.

The Crew-2 mission lifted off at 5:49 a.m. Friday.

READ: Crew-2 mission: What time, how to watch

Read live updates below:

6:08 a.m. UPDATE:

The Crew Dragon has separated from Falcon 9′s second stage and it is on its way to the International Space Station. SpaceX said it will dock at the space station at 5:10 a.m. Saturday.

Dragon has separated from Falcon 9’s second stage and is on its way to the @space_station! Autonomous docking tomorrow at ~5:10 a.m. EDT pic.twitter.com/rg1QjZEl9u
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 23, 2021

5:52 a.m. UPDATE:

A Falcon 9 rocket successfully blasted off from the Space Coast. “Endeavour launches once again,” a NASA official said. Four astronauts from three countries are on their way to the International Space Station.

3.. 2.. 1.. and liftoff! Endeavour launches once again. Four astronauts from three countries on Crew-2, now making their way to the one and only @Space_Station: pic.twitter.com/WDAl8g7bUK
— NASA (@NASA) April 23, 2021

5:48 a.m. UPDATE:

Officials said the Falcon 9 rocket is completely fueled.

5:46 a.m. UPDATE:

The clap arm is opening as officials prepare for launch. Officials said the liquid oxygen that loaded on the second stage is complete.

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NASA's SpaceX Crew-2 Launch The Crew-2 flight will carry NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur – who will serve as the mission’s spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively – along with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station for a six-month science mission. (SpaceX/SpaceX)

SpaceX Crew Launch Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk, left, gestures as he stands with Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana near a mockup of a Crew Dragon capsule during a news conference Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)

SpaceX Crew Launch Hiroshi Sasaki, of Japan's Human Space Flight office, speaks to the media as he stands with Frank De Winne, left, of the European Space Agency, and NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson during a news conference Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)

SpaceX Crew Launch Acting NASA administrator Steve Jurczyk speaks to the media as he stands with Frank De Winne, left, of the European Space Agency, and NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson during a news conference Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Four astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on April 23. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)

SpaceX Crew Launch In this Friday, April 16, 2021 photo provided by NASA, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft is rolled to Launch Complex 39A as preparations continue for the Crew-2 mission at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide are scheduled to launch Thursday, April 22. For the first time, NASA is putting its trust in a recycled SpaceX rocket and capsule for a crew. (Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via AP) (Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew Launch SpaceX Crew 2 members, from left, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide gather at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, April 16, 2021 to prepare for a mission to the International Space Station. The launch is targeted for April 22. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

SpaceX Crew Launch SpaceX Crew 2 astronauts, from left, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide greet members of the media after they arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, April 16, 2021. The launch to the International Space Station is targeted for April 22. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)

5:39 a.m. UPDATE:

NASA officials said things are looking good for launch. The rocket is expected to lift off from Cape Canaveral at 5:49 a.m.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center said fuel loading is complete on the first stage. Liquid oxygen loading has begun on the second stage.

Fuel loading is complete on the first stage, and liquid oxygen loading has begun on the second stage. 🚀🐉

Everything remains on target for launch at 5:49 a.m. ET. Watch live: https://t.co/A9sbAYtdcB pic.twitter.com/UbAXXdL3oL
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) April 23, 2021

5:28 a.m. UPDATE:

SpaceX said the propellant loading of Falcon 9 has begun and the Crew Dragon’s escape system is armed.

T-35 minutes until liftoff; propellant loading of Falcon 9 has begun and Dragon’s escape system is armed
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 23, 2021

5:16 a.m. UPDATE:

NASA said the mission is “go” for launch. The crew arm is retracing from the Falcon 9 rocket. Next, NASA said it will arm the launch escape system and propellant load.

The poll is complete, and we are "go" for launch of NASA's @SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the @Space_Station. The crew access arm is retracting. Next, arming the launch escape system, and propellant load: pic.twitter.com/Qjogua8PDr
— NASA (@NASA) April 23, 2021

5:07 a.m. UPDATE:

The crew arm is moving away from the Falcon 9 rocket as officials prepare for launch.

🚀 The access arm has been retracted and teams are "GO" for fueling.

In just under 40 minutes, @NASA’s @SpaceX Crew-2 mission will launch from @NASAKennedy. Don’t miss out: https://t.co/Ct94x1Ai8c pic.twitter.com/qL1lv4cI4z
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) April 23, 2021

4:41 a.m. UPDATE:

SpaceX said the crew is ready for lift off.

The crew is ready for liftoff pic.twitter.com/orKr0VcFFT
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 23, 2021

4:28 a.m. UPDATE:

Meteorologist Rusty McCranie said weather conditions continue to look great for the scheduled launch time.

Officials said the launch weather is 90% favorable.

READ: Crew-2 mission: NASA, SpaceX ready for early morning launch

Weather conditions continues to look great for the scheduled 5:49am launch time this morning. pic.twitter.com/yGNten3uTp
— Rusty McCranie (@RMcCranieWFTV) April 23, 2021

4 a.m. UPDATE:

NASA said the Crew-2 astronauts are ready to go to space. The hatch is now closed on the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft.

After final confirmation from the Crew-2 astronauts that they're ready to go to space today, the hatch is closed on the @SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft: pic.twitter.com/t27nhwngiI
— NASA (@NASA) April 23, 2021

3 a.m. UPDATE:

A suited-up Crew-2 was enthusiastic during this morning’s walk out:

The four Crew-2 astronauts walk out from the Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout Building at @NASAKennedy ahead of their journey to the launchpad: pic.twitter.com/2NqYTTGBZL
— NASA (@NASA) April 23, 2021

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