In photos: SpaceX's Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station

SpaceX and NASA made history on May 30, 2020, with the first launch of astronauts launch to orbit from U.S. soil in nearly a decade. The mission, called Demo-2, is the first crewed test flight of SpaceX's new Crew Dragon capsule and the first time astronauts have flown to orbit on a commercial spacecraft.

Riding inside the Crew Dragon, NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT) and began a 19-hour flight to the International Space Station. See photos of the Demo-2 mission in this Space.com gallery.

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NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, walk through the Crew Access Arm connecting the launch tower to the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft during a dress rehearsal at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 17, 2020.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule sits ready for launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket on Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Liftoff! The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 30, 2020, at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 30, 2020.

President Donald Trump (right), Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence watch the Demo-2 launch from the balcony of Operations Support Building II at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 30, 2020.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule soar toward space with NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on board, shortly after lifting off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 30, 2020.

On the left, NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley inside the Demo-2 SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule; on the right, the first-stage Falcon 9 booster headed back to Earth, about five minutes after launch on May 30, 2020.

While keeping an eye on Cape Canaveral from the International Space Station, Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner captured this photo of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft emerging from Earth's upper atmosphere after launching to orbit on May 30, 2020.

A view of spacecraft separation for the Demo-2 mission on May 30, 2020.

The Demo-2 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster during its reentry burn after launch on May 30, 2020.

After launching the Demo-2 mission on May 30, 2020, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket booster landed on the company's drone ship, called "Of Course I Still Love You," which was stationed off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean.

NASA astronaut Bob Behnken celebrates the landing of the Falcon 9 booster from the Demo-2 mission on May 30, 2020.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft on board stands ready for launch at Launch Complex 39A on May 30, 2020, the day of the second launch attempt.

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy captured these images of Florida's Kennedy Space Center from the International Space Station on May 30, 2020, just two minutes before SpaceX launched the Demo-2 mission.

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy captured this image of Florida's Kennedy Space Center from the International Space Station on May 30, 2020, just two minutes before SpaceX launched the Demo-2 mission.

Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner captured this photo of Cape Canaveral, Florida from the International Space Station approximately 2 minutes before SpaceX launched the Demo-2 mission from there on May 30, 2020.

An enormous storm cloud rolls in over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during the countdown to the first launch attempt on May 27, 2020, in this view from the Launch Control Center. The bad weather forced SpaceX and NASA to postpone the launch, with the next available launch window opening on Saturday (May 30). Another backup launch opportunity will be available on Sunday (May 31).

Full story: SpaceX delays 1st astronaut launch for NASA due to bad weather

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine watches as NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken return to the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building from Launch Complex 39A after the launch was scrubbed due to weather, on May 27, 2020.

Lightning illuminates the night sky behind the water tower at Launch Complex 39A on May 29, 2020, as SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon stand ready for a second launch attempt, scheduling for the following day.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is pictured on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A, on May 28, 2020.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley seen in his spacesuit before a Demo-2 launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks with astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken before a launch attempt for the Demo-2 mission on May 30, 2020.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine takes a selfie with Crew Dragon co-commanders Doug Hurley (right) and Bob Behnken, and NASA deputy administrator Jim Morhard, on the morning of the second launch attempt of the Demo-2 mission, on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley leave the Operations and Check-out building before a launch attempt for Demo-2 on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A once more, to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft ahead of their second launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley waves as he and Bob Behnken depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for a second time, on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronaut Bob Behnken gives a thumbs up as he and his Crew Dragon co-commander Doug Hurley leave the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley bid farewell to their families before a Demo-2 launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

Demo-2 astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley in the car to head to the launch pad saying goodbye to their families on May 30, 2020.

Demo-2 astronaut Doug Hurley says goodbye to his family from inside the Tesla that transported him and his crewmate Bob Behnken to the launch pad, on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronaut Bob Behnken waves from the car to the launch pad for a Demo-2 launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

Two cars carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley pull up to the Demo-2 rocket and capsule for a launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken arrive at Launch Complex 39A on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley arrive at the launch pad for a Demo-2 flight attempt on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley peer to the top of the Falcon 9 rocket, where the Demo-2 capsule is perched for a launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

Admiring the view from Kennedy Space Center before a Demo-2 launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley gives a thumbs up as he and his Demo-2 crewmate Bob Behnken sit inside the capsule ahead of their second launch attempt on May 30, 2020.

The clearing weather at NASA's Kennedy Space Center continues to support a launch attempt 18 minutes before flight on May 30, 2020.

The Demo-2 SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule seen as the launch attempt on May 30, 2020, approaches.

This schematic shows the launch profile for SpaceX's Demo-2 mission, which will launch to the International Space Station on May 27, 2020. The mission is scheduled to lift off on a Falcon 9 rocket at 4:33 p.m. EDT (2033 GMT).

A schematic of the mission profile for the Demo-2 flight.

This flight plan shows the return trajectory for SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft after it departs the International Space Station and returns to Earth.

As lights on the launch pad illuminate SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft, distant thunderstorms light up the night sky behind Launch Complex 39A, on May 29, 2020.

A thick blanket of clouds looms over Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the morning of the first launch attempt of the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station, on May 27, 2020.

SpaceX's Demo-2 Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket stand atop Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center at dawn on May 27, 2020 for its first launch attempt, which was delayed by weather.

NASA astronaut Bob Behnken is seen on the fixed service structure of Launch Complex 39A before boarding SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft on top of the Falcon 9 rocket on May 27, 2020, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The crew access arm swings away from the Demo-2 SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley rehearses putting on his SpaceX spacesuit in the Astronaut Crew Quarters inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 23, 2020, during a full dress rehearsal ahead of NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station.

In this view of the monitors in firing room four of the Launch Control Center, NASA astronaut Doug Hurley is pictured waving for the camera while suiting up for the first launch attempt at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on May 27, 2020.

SpaceX founder and chief engineer Elon Musk (left), NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence applaud as NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, on May 27, 2020, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Vice President Mike Pence talks with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (left) and SpaceX founder Elon Musk as they wait to see NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, on May 27, 2020.

President Donald Trump waits to deliver a speech on the launch of SpaceX's Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission on May 27, 2020, before officials called off the launch attempt due to inclement weather.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, prepare to board a Tesla and depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A, where they boarded the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for the first launch attempt of the Demo-2 mission on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building and head to Launch Complex 39A in their fancy Tesla vehicles during a dress rehearsal prior to the Demo-2 mission launch, on May 23, 2020, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken pose with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (right) and Bob Behnken walk through the crew access arm on Launch Complex 39A to board their Crew Dragon spacecraft for the first launch attempt on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley arrive at the launch site on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley makes a phone call from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida before the first launch attempt on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley uses a black sharpie to sign SpaceX's White Room, a new tradition, before boarding the Crew Dragon fort the Demo-2 test flight on May 27, 2020. Crew mate Bob Behnken signed is own name a moment later.

NASA astronaut Doug Hurley climbs into the Demo-2 SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule as colleague Bob Behnken looks on before launch on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronaut Bob Behnken enters the Demo-2 SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on May 27, 2020.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (front) and Bob Behnken sit inside SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule while preparing for the first launch attempt of the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station on May 27, 2020.

A small stuffed animal will hitch a ride to the International Space Station on the Demo-2 mission. The toy is seen here strapped in next to NASA astronaut Bob Behnken in the Crew Dragon spacecraft, on May 27, 2020.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft is mounted to the top of the Falcon 9 rocket inside the hanger at Kennedy Space Center's historic Launch Complex 39A on May 20, 2020.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are pictured in the hanger at Launch Complex 39A on May 20, 2020.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft is pictured in the hanger at Launch Complex 39A on May 20, 2020.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are pictured in the hanger at Launch Complex 39A, where they were mated, on May 20, 2020.

Demo-2 astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley pose for a photo after speaking to members of the media at the Launch and Landing Facility runway on May 20, 2020, following the crew's arrival to the Florida spaceport.

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NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley exits the Gulfstream jet that carried him from Houston, Texas, to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 20, 2020.

Full story: NASA astronauts arrive at launch site for historic SpaceX test flight

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (far left) and Douglas Hurley speak with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (far right) and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana at the Launch and Landing Facility runway following their arrival on May 20, 2020.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Crew Dragon spacecraft, stands poised for launch at historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 21, 2020.

SpaceX'S Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Crew Dragon spacecraft, stands poised for launch at historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 21, 2020.

NASA and SpaceX managers participate in a flight readiness review for the upcoming Demo-2 launch inside Operations Support Building II at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on May 21, 2020.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a Crew Dragon spacecraft on board rolls out of the horizontal integration facility at Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a Crew Dragon spacecraft on board rolls out of the horizontal integration facility at Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, mounted on top of a Falcon 9 rocket, rolls out of the horizontal integration facility at Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020.

The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are pictured at the launch pad of Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020, shortly before the rocket was raised into a vertical position on the pad.

The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are pictured at the launch pad of Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020, shortly before the rocket was raised into a vertical position on the pad.

The Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on top, is raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020.

The Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on top, is raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020.

A closeup view of the Crew Dragon spacecraft on top of the Falcon 9 rocket, after it was raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020.

The Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on top, is raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A on May 21, 2020.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the first Crew Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts is raised atop its launch pad at Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center on May 21, 2020.

This black-and-white infrared image shows SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on board at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on May 22, 2020, during a static fire test ahead of the Demo-2 mission.

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The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will launch the Crew Dragon spacecraft, with NASA astronauts aboard, on the company's second demonstration flight and first crewed flight to the International Space Station.

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NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken, who will fly to the International Space Station on SpaceX’s Demo-2 mission, stand near Launch Pad 39A at the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 17, 2020.

Donning their SpaceX spacesuits, NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken wave after walking out of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 17, 2020, during a dress rehearsal ahead of the SpaceX uncrewed In-Flight Abort Test.

SpaceX's Tesla Model X astronaut transfer vehicle is emblazoned with both NASA's insignia and its retro logotype.

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SpaceX's Tesla Model X astronaut transfer vehicle features NASA's resurrected, retro logotype, the red "worm," across its rear window.

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SpaceX's Tesla Model X astronaut transfer vehicle features NASA's red, white and blue insignia, dubbed the "meatball," on its front doors.

Full story: Astronauts to ride NASA-adorned Tesla Model X to SpaceX launchpad

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley give a thumbs up after arriving at NASA's Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceX's Demo-2 mission, on May 20, 2020.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken return to the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building from Launch Complex 39A after completing a dress rehearsal for the Demo-2 mission, on May 23, 2020.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley speak to members of the media after arriving at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on May 20, 2020.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken familiarize themselves with the controls of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft arrives at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, transported from the company’s processing facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Friday, May 15, 2020, in preparation for the Demo-2 flight test.

The Crew Dragon's trunk was secured to the spacecraft on April 30, 2020, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in preparation for the Demo-2 launch with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft arrived at the launch site in Florida on Feb. 13, 2020, where it underwent final testing and prelaunch processing in a SpaceX facility on nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft undergoes final processing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in preparation for the Demo-2 launch.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken familiarize themselves with the controls of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken familiarize themselves with the controls of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft.

On March 30, 2020, SpaceX completed a fully integrated test of critical crew flight hardware ahead of the Demo-2 mission. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley participated in the test, which included flight suit leak checks, spacecraft inspections and more.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken work with teams from NASA and SpaceX to rehearse crew extraction from the Crew Dragon on Aug. 13, 2019, at the Trident Basin in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Using SpaceX's Go Searcher ship, the teams worked through the steps necessary to get NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken out of the Dragon and back to dry land.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley, foreground, and Bob Behnken don SpaceX spacesuits in the Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 17, 2020, during a dress rehearsal ahead of the company’s uncrewed In-Flight Abort Test.

On March 19-20, SpaceX teams in Firing Room 4 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the company's Mission Control in Hawthorne, California, along with NASA flight controllers in Mission Control Houston, executed a full simulation of launch and docking of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley (front) participating in SpaceX's flight simulator.

On March 19-20, SpaceX teams in Firing Room 4 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the company's Mission Control in Hawthorne, California, along with NASA flight controllers in Mission Control Houston, executed a full simulation of launch and docking of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley participating in SpaceX's flight simulator.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley shake hands after suiting up in SpaceX spacesuits in the Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 17, 2020, during a dress rehearsal ahead of the company’s uncrewed In-Flight Abort Test.

SpaceX chief engineer Elon Musk and NASA astronaut Bob Behnken look on as NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks to NASA astronaut Doug Hurley. The group is looking at at an identical version of the SpaceX spacesuit that the astronauts will wear for the Demo-2 mission.

A closeup view of the sleeve of Bob Behnken's spacesuit.

A closeup view of the sleeve of Doug Hurley's spacesuit.

Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken used a Demo-2 mission decal like the one pictured here to "tag" SpaceX's simulator in Houston, as a tradition symbolizing they had completed their training.

NASA's Demo-2 (DM-2) mission patch is shaped like the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken will fly aboard.

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One of the SpaceX suits that will be used for the Demo-2 launch is pictured on display at SpaceX Headquarters in Hawthorne, California, on Oct. 10, 2019.

The sun rises behind SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft at Launch Complex 39A on the morning of the first launch attempt on May 27, 2020.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A at sunrise during launch preparations on May 27, 2020, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A gopher tortoise crawls across the grass at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, while SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are visible in the background.

Tristan Eaton's "Human Kind" artwork, seen beside SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is launching on SpaceX's first crewed mission to the International Space Station.

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Tristan Eaton created his space-bound "Human Kind" art series to be indestructible using gold, brass and aluminum.

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