BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — See our complete coverage below:
Read live updates below:
Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, speaks after launch
6:40 p.m. update
Channel 9′s Greg Warmoth spoke with Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, moments after President Donald Trump’s speech at the Kennedy Space Center.
Watch the video below:
So this just happened. I was able to get @elonmusk reaction moments after @realDonaldTrump speech at the @NASA VAB. #LaunchAmerica #SpaceX #spacexlaunch @WFTV pic.twitter.com/lmq6ecknLF
— greg warmoth wftv (@GWarmothWFTV) May 30, 2020
President Trump, VP Mike Pence speak at KSC
5 p.m. update
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are speaking at the Kennedy Space Center.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<
Watch the launch again
4:20 p.m. update
To watch the launch again, click here.
Crew Dragon separates from Falcon 9′s second stage, astronauts on their way to International Space Station, SpaceX says
3:36 p.m. update
SpaceX said the Crew Dragon has separated from Falcon 9′s second stage and it is on its way to the International Space Station with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.
Crew Dragon has separated from Falcon 9’s second stage and is on its way to the International Space Station with @Astro_Behnken and @AstroDoug! Autonomous docking at the @Space_Station will occur at ~10:30 a.m. EDT tomorrow, May 31 pic.twitter.com/bSZ6yZP2bD
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 30, 2020
3:33 p.m. update
SpaceX said the Falcon 9 booster has landed on the “Of Course I Still Love You dronship.”
Falcon 9 booster has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship! pic.twitter.com/96Nd3vsrT2
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 30, 2020
SpaceX said the stage engine burn has completed and the Crew Dragon is in good orbit.
Second stage engine burn complete; Dragon confirmed in good orbit
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 30, 2020
3:28 p.m. update
Falcon 9 lifts off from launch pad 39A
Falcon 9 lifted off from launch pad 39A at 3:22 p.m.
NASA said the main engine has been cutoff and second stage separation has been completed.
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are heading into orbit.
Main engine cutoff ☑️
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
Second stage separation ☑️@AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug are heading into orbit.#LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/ed6LTUV63d
Fuel completely loaded into second stage, NASA says
3:16 p.m. update
Space officials said fuel is completely loaded into the second stage. They are continuing to load fuel into the first stage.
There are five minutes until liftoff.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<
3:16 p.m. update
Fuel is completely loaded into the second stage. We're continuing to load fuel into the first stage. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/OBDpSryEDh
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
Rocket propellant fueling Falcon 9
2:57 p.m. update
The NASA Commercial Crew said “rocket propellant is currently being fueled into the Falcon 9 rocket.”
Space officials said the Crew Dragon’s launch escape system is armed and ready to abort in case of emergency.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<
Rocket propellant is currently being fueled into the Falcon 9 rocket. The Crew Dragon’s launch escape system is armed and ready to abort in an instant in case of an emergency.
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) May 30, 2020
It is almost time to #LaunchAmerica: https://t.co/YeWrpz41EN pic.twitter.com/0zzpXLgUXV
NASA administrator says ‘weather is a go for launch’
2:35 p.m. update
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said “weather is a go for launch.”
The Falcon 9 rocket is expected to launch at 3:22 p.m.
NASA will continue to watch conditions as the launch time approaches.
Weather is a GO for launch! #LaunchAmerica
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) May 30, 2020
NASA continues to monitor weather
2:10 p.m. update
NASA officials are continuing to monitor the weather ahead of the launch.
Conditions are still 50% favorable for liftoff.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<
We're continuing to track weather forecasts for today's launch of @SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft with @Astro_Doug & @AstroBehnken onboard. Liftoff is targeted for 3:22pm ET. Tune in: https://t.co/dthNEgGAd4
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
Channel 9′s Launch America special begins
2 p.m. update
Channel 9 is airing special live coverage of the launch right now.
>>CLICK HERE TO TUNE IN<<
Crews continue launch preparations
1:44 p.m. update
Crews are continuing launch preparations ahead of the launch.
Space officials said the astronauts are strapped in, connected to Crew Dragon’s systems and the hatch is closed.
Officials said the access arm will be retracted in preparations for launch.
Liftoff is scheduled for 3:22 p.m.
✅ Strapped in
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) May 30, 2020
✅ Connected to Crew Dragon’s systems
✅ Hatch Closed
Next, the access arm will be retracted in preparation for launch. Liftoff is scheduled for 3:22 p.m. ET: https://t.co/YeWrpz41EN pic.twitter.com/2QDcQ4pJYg
Crews close hatch ahead of launch
1:15 p.m. update
Space officials have closed the hatch of the Crew Dragon as they prepare for launch.
They said the weather is still 50% favorable.
Crews said they are going to continue preparations but they will reevaluate before fueling the rocket.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<
The hatch is closed. The crew is settled in. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/F6HL9YSfIm
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
Communication check completed
1 p.m. update
NASA said it completed a communication check with the crew ahead of the launch.
It said “the network is a go and supporting communications for Dragon.”
Communication Check? ✅
— NASA TDRS (@NASA_TDRS) May 30, 2020
We just finished a communications check with the crew through our Tracking and Data Relay Satellites ahead of today's @SpaceX launch! The network is a go and supporting communications for Dragon. 📡 🚀 #LaunchAmerica
Watch Live: https://t.co/r7ZN7bhief
Forecast shows chance for rain, storms around Cape Canaveral at launch time
12:45 p.m. update
Meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said there is a chance for rain and storm around Cape Canaveral at launch time.
Here's a zoomed in look at one of our models for later today. Chance for rain and storms around the Cape. Note the time: 3:30pm pic.twitter.com/qd9uOOu4vD
— Kassandra Crimi (@KCrimiWFTV) May 30, 2020
Astronauts enter Crew Dragon
12:38 p.m. update
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have entered the crew dragon and are preparing for launch.
Hurley is the commander for the mission and Behnken is the pilot, officials said.
There are four seats in the Crew Dragon.
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley arrive at launch pad
12:26 p.m. update
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have arrived at launch pad. They are making their way up the stairs.
There go your astronauts! 👨🚀@AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug have arrived at Launch Complex 39A and are preparing to ascend the launch tower to the Crew Dragon spacecraft: https://t.co/A9sbAYbCl3 pic.twitter.com/8CgW8sn9eg
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) May 30, 2020
Astronauts heading to launch pad
12:08 p.m. update
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are heading to the launch pad ahead of the Falcon 9 rocket launch.
Astronauts walk out of crew quarters
12:03 p.m. update
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley walked out of the crew quarters to say goodbye to their friends and family as they prepare for launch.
Our crew is ready. Let's do this.#LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/PoV1rjFbpC
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
50% chance of favorable weather for liftoff
11:55 a.m. update
Space officials said there is a 50% chance of favorable weather for liftoff.
Right now, there is a 50/50 chance of favorable weather for liftoff.#LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/5Aje8K0Y9J
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine takes selfie with astronauts
11:40 a.m. update
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine took a selfie with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.
“Selfies are important when you’re going to Launch America," NASA tweeted.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<
Watch the video below:
Selfies are important when you're going to #LaunchAmerica. pic.twitter.com/YNN46stYsH
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
Best selfie ever! #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/yQJ2rC1Ixy
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) May 30, 2020
Astronauts suiting up for launch
11:30 a.m. update
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are suiting up for the launch.
NASA giving update on Falcon 9 launch
10:20 a.m. update
NASA officials gave an update on the Falcon 9 launch that will send two astronauts to the International Space Station.
“Bob and Doug are in great spirits. They are ready to go,” said NASA Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator.
>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<
Launch Day. In America. Again. pic.twitter.com/RXMS5CVeo9
— Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) May 30, 2020
Another launch attempt
9 a.m. update
NASA and SpaceX will make a second attempt at launching two astronauts into space from the Kennedy Space Center on Saturday afternoon -- if weather permits.
The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to blast off at 3:22 p.m. Saturday.
Read: Preparing for liftoff: How to watch historic NASA, SpaceX launch
If weather conditions do not allow for a launch Saturday, it will be pushed back to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Channel 9 has multiple crews in Brevard County covering the launch.
PHOTOS: Rocket launches from Central Florida
Click here to watch special live coverage, beginning at 2 p.m.
Click here to learn more about the astronauts who will be launching from American soil for the first time in nine years.
Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.
© 2020 Cox Media Group