UPDATE: SpaceX's first attempt to launch the Demo-2 mission on Wednesday (May 27) was scrubbed due to bad weather. The next launch try is set for today (May 30) at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT).
Veteran NASA astronauts are setting out to make history today (May 30) with SpaceX's Demo-2 mission and everyone from celebrities to astronauts is celebrating around the world.
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have trained tirelessly to launch today aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon from NASA's Kennedy Space Center all the way to the International Space Station with Demo-2. The pair, who are experienced test pilots as well as veteran astronauts, have worked hard to get to this moment where they will be the first humans to fly this capsule to orbit.
Demo-2 will be a historic launch as it's the first crewed launch to orbit from the U.S. in nearly a decade, since NASA's space shuttle program closed in 2011. People around the world are thrilled to watch the event live (remotely), and are sharing their excitement online.
Full coverage: SpaceX's historic Demo-2 astronaut launch explained
Check out some celebratory tweets, photos, videos and more from people awaiting this historic moment below.
We will post updates here throughout the day, so be sure to check back later for the latest news from SpaceX's historic Demo-2 mission!
Best selfie ever! #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/yQJ2rC1Ixy
Launch Day. In America. Again. pic.twitter.com/RXMS5CVeo9
On my first flight STS-127 on Shuttle Endeavour, we scrubbed 5 times over the course of a month for technical and weather challenges. All launch commit criteria is developed way ahead of any attempt. This makes the correct scrub/launch decision easier in the heat of the moment. https://t.co/mOKQ5uBia4
Watching the #LaunchAmerica broadcast! Good luck @SpaceX and @NASA pic.twitter.com/rsQfE4r0EZ
We’re on the edge of our seats! Go, Dragon. T-minus 1 hour. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/ZHoBlcYZr5
Looking forward to a great launch today! As always, the weather needs to cooperate. I’ll be watching! #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/v6Mk5X76ta
Anderson Mission Control 😎🚀 @rktCYns #LaunchAmerica @NASA @SpaceX pic.twitter.com/ok8Pgc2vM4
Eagerly awaiting the launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon with my little travelers!🪐🌌🚀#LaunchAmerica #SpaceX #SpaceXDragon pic.twitter.com/i4vEerIq6j
Let’s do this! #TeamMeatball #LaunchAmerica #NASAmeatball pic.twitter.com/VsQ2xibdbU
About 2 hours from launch at 3:22pm ET! 🚀@Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken are secured in the @SpaceX Crew Dragon with the hatch closed, ready for #LaunchAmericaWatch: https://t.co/TFPg55ku2Z https://t.co/dRKICAg8f6
We are GO for suit up! #LaunchAmericaLiftoff is slated for today at 3:22 p.m. ET: https://t.co/zAPRwTxsPx pic.twitter.com/RLZ52CXgVn
Making history means making the right call, no matter how much the heat is on. @NASA's Flight Rules say when/how we do amazing things. They're written before people sit on a rocket, & after looking from all angles, to guide choices when stakes are high & decisions must be quick. pic.twitter.com/dxrSAuc925
Today we launch an American rocket from Florida soil. This collaboration between @NASA and @SpaceX is a great public-private partnership and Florida is at the epicenter for this type of innovation. The Sunshine State remains the world’s premiere gateway to space! #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/t3SyMAKXNT
🚀🚀🚀 https://t.co/PsIrDpt4MN
Tune in today to watch @NASA_Astronauts @AstroBehnken @Astro_Doug launch at 3:22 pm on the first @SpaceX commercial spacecraft to the @Space_Station! #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/cNQruB2Bro
Space Station view of the Florida launch pads. Just need good weather this aft! @NASA @AstroBehnken @Astro_Doug @SpaceX https://t.co/JYf5Cz2fiT
Getting ready for launch day! Thanks for having me on this morning @smerconish @cnn to talk about the @NASA @SpaceX launch today. #spacelaunchlive pic.twitter.com/OskPrYAygG
What a great shot of Launchpad 39A, under clear skies, taken by Ivan Vagner from Space Station yesterday. Crossing fingers for perfectly timed weather today for launch at 3:22 pm ET! https://t.co/nnlM193y63
Captain’s Log Stardate 73: Watching @NASA’s live broadcast of #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/A9M5Nb48Xv
Don’t give up on your dreamschase them instead;you will find one morningas you wake up from bed;that you are the personabout whom you dreamed;and you can reach great heightsimpossible though it seemed.~M.T. Prasad#LaunchAmerica 🇺🇸 #AdAstra 💫 pic.twitter.com/Y2clKR7HmQ
Fingers crossed for good weather today @NASAKennedy for #LaunchAmerica! Watch live ⬇️ to cheer on @Astro_Doug & @AstroBehnken. Semper fi, aim high 🚀🇺🇸 https://t.co/rM46s08vsh
We're GO for attempt #2! Launch will be at 20:22 BST, weather permitting... Fingers crossed it cooperates today. #LaunchAmerica #SpaceXDragon https://t.co/juzNX7RZrX
May 27: 1st Launch attempt
Still can’t believe we are at L-0. Thanks to all the @SpaceX and @Commercial_Crew teams! https://t.co/CtAPOH5rK4
Launch day. In America. pic.twitter.com/G94DMvVRGn
I’ve often said that our astronauts are the best America has to offer. @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug are truly the best of us. Godspeed tomorrow. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/ebrIx440QK
pic.twitter.com/mMHsTxyxNx
Today @NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will fly on @SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for an extended stay at the space station for the Demo-2 mission. Godspeed! #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/wyYCbcKTW1
So excited for the @SpaceX Dragon crew launch from Kennedy Space Center today🚀👨🚀👨🚀🤩Who knew? I did😂😂 @elonmusk #oneyearold pic.twitter.com/6gt3lKV65G
All about the @NASA life today for Live Shuttle Launch. Let’s go! https://t.co/58RyA1AfPD #USA pic.twitter.com/ttsF7ZRlIy
I am so excited for the @SpaceXDragon launch today. Hope you are all watching too!https://t.co/bvRMydmKw1
Today is the day! We will again be launching astronauts from U.S. soil! I am so excited for my friends @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug, their families, and the @NASA and @SpaceX teams. I'll be a part of the @Discovery live broadcast starting at 2 ET, can't wait! #SpaceLaunchLIVE pic.twitter.com/70QvAfaCcQ
Over the moon 🌙 to be able to participate in the @SpaceX launch 🚀 in my own, 1 in 7 billion small way. Tune in to @Discovery or @ScienceChannel at 11am PT to see this historic moment GO OFF 💫 #SpaceLaunchLIVE pic.twitter.com/bArftJCDFk
Dragon Dawn pic.twitter.com/mz1EzU5GSO
I will be one of the commentators! https://t.co/Of6i0xR9ym
We are wired to Explore but we also set sail to inspire our next generation of Explorers. @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken these two future explorers are wishing you Godspeed on L-1. pic.twitter.com/00jCrL6g0r
My friend @Astro_Doug is heading to the International Space Station today! Who else is tuning in to watch #LaunchAmerica ? pic.twitter.com/sz5A7FSngI
At 4:33pm EST two veteran astronauts are set to launch from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. The flight has the rather unexciting name of "Demo-2".Not only will this be a return to human spaceflight for America, it'll also be the first ever commercial space launch pic.twitter.com/xr61cI7eLW
Today’s the day! We are cheering on @nasa @spacex as they attempt to launch American astronauts from U.S. soil for the first time in nearly a decade. Excited to share this moment with her & to be a part of our special coverage of this historic day 🚀🇺🇸#LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/Ymy1OfwAcY
LAUNCH DAY! It's been an uphill battle w/lots of hard work to get to this point, but we've made it. This launch marks not only the return of America back into the business of launching people into space, but also the beginning of a whole new golden age of spaceflight. 📸@SpaceX pic.twitter.com/WWDScu4tq9
Looking forward to seeing history made today as @POTUS & I head to Cape Canaveral to see the @SpaceX #CrewDragon spacecraft liftoff to the International @Space_Station. You can join virtually @NASA as we count down to #LaunchAmerica: https://t.co/a4RIWsjdsf
As we prepare to launch two American Astronauts into space from @NASAKennedy for the first time in nearly 10 years, we encourage every American to pray for @AstroBehnken, @Astro_Doug & the teams at @NASA & @SpaceX who have worked to make this Historic day possible.
The Starliner Crew @Astro_Ferg @AstroDuke and myself are wishing the Dragon CrewBob and Doug Godspeed today! Join us in watching this historic event! https://t.co/EPWJGsqfAm
My kids coined the term “nervcited” in our house, and it describes exactly how I feel this morning! Best of luck to @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken and all involved. SpaceX partners with NASA to launch its first crewed flight #LaunchAmerica https://t.co/0x2w0uusPG
- SpaceX Crew Dragon reaches launch pad for historic NASA astronaut launch
- See the Evolution of SpaceX's Rockets in Pictures
- In photos: SpaceX's historic Demo-2 test flight with astronauts
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
