SpaceX is set to launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida today (March 8)..
The launch is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. EST (1645 GMT) and will be the first crewed launch from US soil since May 2020. It will also be the first time a commercial company has launched astronauts to the ISS..
The four astronauts on board the Crew Dragon are NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Soichi Noguchi. They are scheduled to spend six months on the ISS, conducting research and maintenance..
The launch will be streamed live on NASA TV and the SpaceX website. You can also follow our live coverage here..
Here are some of the key events to watch for during the launch:.
* **11:45 a.m. EST (1645 GMT):** The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft launches from Kennedy Space Center..
* **12:05 p.m. EST (1705 GMT):** The Crew Dragon separates from the Falcon 9 rocket and begins its journey to the ISS..
* **12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT):** The Crew Dragon docks with the ISS..
* **1:00 p.m. EST (1800 GMT):** The astronauts board the ISS and begin their six-month stay..
We will be providing live updates throughout the launch and docking process. Stay tuned for the latest news and information..
**Updates:**.
* **11:45 a.m. EST (1645 GMT):** The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft has launched from Kennedy Space Center..
* **12:05 p.m. EST (1705 GMT):** The Crew Dragon has separated from the Falcon 9 rocket and is on its way to the ISS..
* **12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT):** The Crew Dragon has docked with the ISS..
* **1:00 p.m. EST (1800 GMT):** The astronauts have boarded the ISS and begun their six-month stay..
The launch and docking of the Crew Dragon spacecraft is a major milestone in human spaceflight. It marks the first time a commercial company has launched astronauts to the ISS, and it opens the door to new possibilities for space exploration..
We will continue to provide updates on the Crew Dragon mission throughout its six-month stay on the ISS. Stay tuned for the latest news and information..
