CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Four astronauts have lifted off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX flight to the International Space Station.
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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
According to WFTV, two NASA astronauts, Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide; and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet boarded the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft early Friday ahead of the 5:49 a.m. Falcon 9 rocket launch. They are expected to arrive at the ISS on Saturday morning and stay for six months, The Associated Press reported.
"Glad to be back in space for all of us." - @Astro_Kimbrough. The second stage has separated, and the @SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft with four astronauts aboard is in orbit, and on the way to the @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/ygzlgtVjWd
— NASA (@NASA) April 23, 2021
This marks the first time SpaceX has reused a rocket and capsule for a crew launch, according to the AP. The company used the capsule for its first crew launch in May, and the rocket was used in November, according to the news agency.
Friday’s crew launch, the company’s third, originally had been scheduled for Thursday but was delayed by poor weather, the AP reported.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
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