Liftoff! NASA and SpaceX Crew-7 Launch Successful; 4 Astronauts on the Way to International Space Station

NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for the launch of Crew-7 on Saturday, with the crew members making their way to Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida less than an hour before they embark on their journey.

The crew, consisting of NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, who will be the mission commander; Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (ESA); Satoshi Furukawa of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); and Russian cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos, left the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building and headed to the launch site on schedule.

NASA and SpaceX Crew-7 Mission Prepares For Launch

Before their departure, the crew took a moment to acknowledge the presence of family, friends, and the support team who had gathered to bid them farewell.

After this brief interaction, the crew boarded their custom black Tesla Model X vehicles for a 20-minute journey to the launch pad, according to NASA's latest blog post.

The crew's vehicles are part of a convoy that includes support team members and security personnel, ensuring a smooth transition to the launch site. Waiting for their arrival is the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft, aptly named "Endurance."

As the SpaceX closeout team completed their tasks, the countdown to the launch, scheduled for 3:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, progressed with around an hour left. The excitement is palpable as the crew prepares for this historic mission.

And right on time, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Endurance spacecraft light up Florida's early morning sky, starting the crew's approximately 22-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew is expected to dock at the ISS around 8:39 a.m. ET Sunday.

How to Watch the NASA, SpaceX Mission Launch Event

For those eager to witness this significant event, the continuous live coverage of Crew-7 activities is available on NASA Television and the agency's website. Throughout the mission, key milestones will be shared with the audience, allowing everyone to stay informed and engaged.

Viewers interested in observing the launch and initial stages of the flight can access the video player on the relevant webpage or tune in to SpaceX's official YouTube channel.

Preparations for Crew-7 have been thorough and meticulous. Earlier this month, the crew members visited the Kennedy Space Center to familiarize themselves with the Dragon spacecraft, which has been named "Endurance."

The crew has conducted various activities at SpaceX's refurbishment facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, also in Florida, including flight suit donning, leak checks, and communication tests within the spacecraft.

With its impressive track record, the Dragon spacecraft is set to carry the crew to the ISS, having already supported the Crew-3 and Crew-5 missions to and from the space station.

This launch from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center marks an important milestone for NASA, representing the eighth human spaceflight facilitated by a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

Moreover, this mission aligns with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, symbolizing the seventh crew rotation mission to the ISS since 2020. With the successful liftoff, the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX reaches another significant chapter in space exploration.