Crew-2 by SpaceX

The Tesla Model X carrying Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur passing the Vehicle Assembly Building as the #Crew2 crew travels to LC-39A.(Photo credit: Michael Seeley / National Geographic)

Crew-2 by SpaceX

At 5:49 am (EDT) Friday, the Crew-2 mission successfully launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center and historic LC-39a seen here in a 30-second exposure captured from 5 km west of the pad. The mission sent astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Aki Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet to orbit on their way to the International Space Station.

Crew-2 by SpaceX

Captured with a sound-activated camera left overnight at Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A, this is a close-up of the Crew-2 SpaceX Falcon9 rocket. The "9" refers to the 9 Merlin rocket engines, which generate 1.7 million pounds of thrust, more than enough to carry astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Aki Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet to orbit on their way to the International Space Station. The Friday 5:49 am (EDT) launch was the first time a previously-flown Falcon 9 booster was used for a crewed mission, and the Crew Dragon capsule has flown previously as well.

Photo credit Michael Seeley / National Geographic

Crew-2 by SpaceX

Captured with a sound-activated camera left overnight at Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A, this is a close-up of the Crew-2 SpaceX Falcon9 rocket. The "9" refers to the 9 Merlin rocket engines, which generate 1.7 million pounds of thrust, more than enough to carry astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Aki Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet to orbit on their way to the International Space Station. The Friday 5:49 am (EDT) launch was the first time a previously-flown Falcon 9 booster was used for a crewed mission, and the Crew Dragon capsule has flown previously as well.

Photo credit Michael Seeley / National Geographic

Crew-2 by SpaceX

Rocket Rorschach test: What do you see in the (amazing) plume from the #SpaceX #Crew2 launch? This was the view of the 2nd stage, illuminated by the rising Sun, 6-mins after launch; one of the coolest launches I’ve seen.

Crew-2 by SpaceX

At 5:49 am (EDT) Friday, the Crew-2 mission successfully launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center and historic LC-39a seen here in a 326-second exposure captured from 5 km west of the pad. The mission sent astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Aki Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet to orbit on their way to the International Space Station. As the Crew Dragon flew east, the down-range streak glowed bluish-white from sunlight catching the second stage rocket plume. 

Photo credit: Michael Seeley / National Geographic

Crew-2 by SpaceX

Captured with a sound-activated camera left overnight at Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A, this is a close-up of the Crew-2 SpaceX Falcon9 rocket. The "9" refers to the 9 Merlin rocket engines, which generate 1.7 million pounds of thrust, more than enough to carry astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Aki Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet to orbit on their way to the International Space Station. The Friday 5:49 am (EDT) launch was the first time a previously-flown Falcon 9 booster was used for a crewed mission, and the Crew Dragon capsule has flown previously as well.

Crew-2 by SpaceX

Exploding head = me, watching the downrange plume from the #SpaceX #Crew2 second stage. This was the view roughly 7-mins after the #Falcon9 left the pad. This was a seriously pretty launch.

Crew-2 by SpaceX

With the recently emptied LC-39a in the foreground, this frame from the #SpaceX launch at T+7 mins shows two downrange streaks: 1. The 2nd stage pushing the #CrewDragon to orbit 2. The #falcon9 1st stage, returning for re-use This launch=🤯🤯🤯; unlike any I've seen.

Crew-2 by SpaceX

Captured with a sound-activated camera left overnight at Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A, this is a close-up of the Crew-2 SpaceX Falcon9 rocket. The "9" refers to the 9 Merlin rocket engines, which generate 1.7 million pounds of thrust, more than enough to carry astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Aki Hoshide, and Thomas Pesquet to orbit on their way to the International Space Station. The Friday 5:49 am (EDT) launch was the first time a previously-flown Falcon 9 booster was used for a crewed mission, and the Crew Dragon capsule has flown previously as well.