SpaceX was given the green light earlier this week to test launch its Crew Dragon module to the International Space Station (ISS). The historic space launch marks the first time a commercially built spacecraft is being launched towards the ISS. If successful today, SpaceX will be well on its way to become the first private company to send astronauts into orbit in partnership with NASA. The SpaceX launch kicks off today (Saturday, March 2) and will be broadcast live online for the world to tune in. Watch it below.
How to watch the SpaceX launch live on YouTube
Coverage of the Crew Dragon launch will be broadcast online on NASA TV and via SpaceX’s official YouTube channel.
You can watch the launch from start to finish courtesy of the embedded YouTube video player below.
SpaceX’s launch webcasts typically kick off 15 minutes prior to launch.
The launch itself is scheduled, weather permitting, to take off just before 8am GMT (3am EST).
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SpaceX pencilled in a liftoff window at 7.48am GMT (2.48am EST) from the Kennedy Space Center’s pad 39A.
Pad 39A is the exact same launch pad astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins took on the monumental Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.
Space agency NASA said ahead of the launch: “SpaceX will launch a crew capable Dragon, known as Crew Dragon, on a test mission to the International Space Station.
“There will be no crew aboard, but the Dragon will dock autonomously to the station.
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“The objectives of this mission are to demonstrate most of the capabilities of their crew transportation system.”
SpaceX’s spacecraft will fly off into space today and is expected to dock with the ISS by March 3.
The unmanned module will remain connected to the ISS for about five days before it disconnects and returns to Earth.
The module will splash down in the Atlantic Ocean where it will be recovered by SpaceX.
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NASA has specifically ordered SpaceX to recover the module in less than an hour of splashdown to pass today’s crucial test flight.
The Crew Dragon is designed to accommodate a total of four astronauts, who will operate the ISS in future missions.
The module is longer and heavier than its predecessors and onboard tools will measure whether the Crew Dragon can withstand the pressures, vibrations and temperatures associated with the launch.
If SpaceX proves its ability to safely send astronauts into orbit, the rocket manufacturer will cut NASA’s reliance on the Russian Soyuz programme for rocket launches.
Additional live coverage of the SpaceX launch will be readily online on NASA TV and the agency’s website, with a number of pre-launch activities.
NASA TV coverage will begin today at 7am GMT (2am EST).
NASA said: “Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning at 2am as the countdown milestones occur.
“On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff.”