The New York Times reports:
The United States opened a new era of human space travel on Saturday as a private company for the first time launched astronauts into orbit, nearly a decade after the government retired the storied space shuttle program in the aftermath of national tragedy.
Two American astronauts lifted off at 3:22 p.m. from a familiar setting, the same Florida launchpad that once served Apollo missions and the space shuttles.
But the rocket and capsule that lofted them out of the atmosphere were a new sight for many — built and operated not by NASA but SpaceX, the company founded by the billionaire Elon Musk to pursue his dream of sending colonists to Mars.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/DRBfdUM7JA
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 30, 2020
And the rocket’s red glare
Reflecting on fake hair #SpaceX #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/UfaAHWlJG2
— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) May 30, 2020
We can finally say that dinosaurs have traveled to space. #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/Gd7CGOAz7u
— Der (@DerekGarcia0) May 30, 2020
Another angle on Falcon 9 engine landing…..#LaunchAmerica #SpaceLaunchLIVE #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/FAX4wpbKX7
— Apache Helicopter (@AttackMissile) May 30, 2020
Crew Dragon has successfully separated. Next stop? The International @Space_Station. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/rDKFzPouTE
— NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
First stage entry burn complete. Second stage propelling Crew Dragon into its orbit to meet up with the @Space_Station
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 30, 2020