Let’s light this candle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched in Florida marking a historic moment
SpaceX, the private rocket company owned by tech-giant Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturdaymarking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT).
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30, 2020.
(Photograph:AFP)
NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are a part of the extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission.
NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are a part of the extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission.
(Photograph:AFP)
Minutes after launch, the first-stage booster rocket of the Falcon 9 separated from the upper second-stage rocket and flew itself back to Earth to descend safely onto a landing platform floating in the Atlantic.
Minutes after launch, the first-stage booster rocket of the Falcon 9 separated from the upper second-stage rocket and flew itself back to Earth to descend safely onto a landing platform floating in the Atlantic.
(Photograph:AFP)
Just before liftoff, Hurley said, “SpaceX, we’re going for launch. Let’s light this candle,” paraphrasing the famous comment uttered on the launch pad in 1961 by Alan Shepard, the first American flown into space.
Just before liftoff, Hurley said, “SpaceX, we’re going for launch. Let’s light this candle,” paraphrasing the famous comment uttered on the launch pad in 1961 by Alan Shepard, the first American flown into space.
(Photograph:AFP)
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“It's incredible, the power, the technology,” said U.S. President Donald Trump, who was at Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida for the launch. “That was a beautiful sight to see.”
“It's incredible, the power, the technology,” said U.S. President Donald Trump, who was at Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida for the launch. “That was a beautiful sight to see.”
(Photograph:AFP)
"I'm breathing a sigh of relief, but I will also tell you I'm not gonna celebrate until Bob and Doug are home safely," NASA chief Jim Bridenstine said.
"I'm breathing a sigh of relief, but I will also tell you I'm not gonna celebrate until Bob and Doug are home safely," NASA chief Jim Bridenstine said.
(Photograph:AFP)
For Elon Musk, the Founder of SpaceX, the launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and more frequent.
For Elon Musk, the Founder of SpaceX, the launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and more frequent.
(Photograph:AFP)
People line the A.Max Brewer Causeway to watch the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida May 30, 2020 in Titusville, Florida.
People line the A.Max Brewer Causeway to watch the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida May 30, 2020 in Titusville, Florida.
(Photograph:AFP)
US Vice President was also present with US President Donald Trump at the launch ceremony.
US Vice President was also present with US President Donald Trump at the launch ceremony.