NASA and SpaceX will attempt to launch two astronauts into space tonight as part of a historic mission.
Astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will be launched into space on board a Falcon 9 rocket, on a 400 kilometre journey to the International Space Station.
The launch is scheduled for 15:22 EDT (20:22 BST) tonight, and while there’s still several hours to go, NASA has now started its live stream.
The live stream is at the top of this story, or you can watch it on NASA’s YouTube channel here.
Mirror Online will also be covering tonight’s launch live, bringing you all the latest announcements as they happen, so make sure you check back in tonight!
While the ISS is just 400km away from Earth, it will take several hours for the astronauts to get there, due to the station’s orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to dock at the space station at 10:29 EDT (15:29 BST) on Sunday May 31.
This means that the astronauts will take around 19 hours to reach the ISS.
NASA explained: “This will be SpaceX’s final test flight for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and will provide critical data on the performance of the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon spacecraft, and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking, and landing operations.
“The test flight also will provide valuable data toward certification of SpaceX’s crew transportation system for regular flights carrying astronauts to and from the space station.
“SpaceX currently is readying the hardware for the first space station crew rotational mission, which would happen after data from this test flight is reviewed for certification.”
Unfortunately, the weather isn’t looking great for tonight’s launch.
NASA said: “The U.S. Air Force 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 40% chance of favourable weather conditions for NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 launch.
“The primary weather concerns for launch are flight through precipitation, anvil and cumulus clouds.”
However, NASA and SpaceX confirmed this morning that they’re pushing ahead with the launch countdown.
Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator, tweeted: “We are moving forward with launch today. Weather challenges remain with a 50% chance of cancellation. #LaunchAmerica.”
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