Crew Dragon

SpaceX to make history with crewed ISS mission. Here's how to watch.

The Demo-2 launch, carrying NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, is scheduled to lift off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 30.

The crew access arm is swung into position for the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket on May 21, 2020, as preparations continue for the Demo-2 mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Photograph by Bill Ingalls, NASA

SpaceX is poised to ignite a new era of human spaceflight this week when its Crew Dragon capsule carries two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The Demo-2 test flight is scheduled for 3:22 p.m. ET on May 30 after a launch attempt was scrubbed on May 27 due to weather. The mission marks the first time in nearly a decade that a crewed journey into space will lift off from a launch pad in the United States—and the first time a private spaceflight company has used its own rocket and spacecraft design to fling humans into orbit.

“SpaceX has been an amazing partner of NASA for many years, including resupply of the International Space Station, and

Unlock this story for free
Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles.

Unlock this story for free

Want the full story? Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free.
Already have an account?
SIGN IN

Read This Next

Why are these orcas killing sharks and removing their livers?
How to eat in 6 of the world’s most stunning places
Cliff art reveals the majesty of the Amazon’s aquatic realm

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet