KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — The Falcon 9 rocket successfully blasted off from Kennedy Space Center on schedule Sunday evening, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station in a historic mission.
PHOTOS: Historic crewed launch from Kennedy Space Center
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Read LIVE updates below:
9:40 p.m. update
NASA and SpaceX are providing an update on the historic Crew-1 launch.
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9:30 p.m. update
Vice President Mike Pence was in Central Florida Sunday to witness the SpaceX Crew-1 launch in person.
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President Donald Trump tweeted his congratulations as well, praising NASA.
7:45 p.m. update
The first stage has touched down on the drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean and the second stage is now in orbit, according to NASA.
Crew Dragon has successfully separated from Falcon 9′s second stage and is on its way to the International Space Station for its first operational mission.
7:27 p.m.
The historic SpaceX crewed launch carrying four astronauts blasted off at 7:27 p.m. as scheduled.
7 p.m. update
Propellant loading is underway about 30 minutes ahead of the launch.
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6:45 p.m. update
The crew access arm has retracted.
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6:15 p.m. update:
The leak check has been passed and the launch remains on track for 7:27 p.m.
The crew access arm will retract next in preparation for liftoff.
5:45 p.m. update:
The Crew Dragon spacecraft hatch was briefly closed but had to be reopened while technicians check for a leak. NASA says they’re still on track to launch as teams troubleshoot to ensure the hatch is secure before liftoff.
4:45 p.m. update:
The Crew-1 astronauts have arrived at the launch pad and are aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. According to the mission schedule, they’ll close the hatch at 5:32 p.m. before fueling the rocket for liftoff.
4:15 p.m. update:
The Crew-1 astronauts walked outside around 4:05 p.m. to depart for Launch Pad 39A at the Cape Canaveral Airforce Station.
3:50 p.m. update:
NASA shared video of the Crew-1 astronauts getting into their spacesuits before they move to the launch pad.
3 p.m. update:
NASA shared the expected times for important mission milestones.
Crew-1 astronauts will suit-up at 3:27 p.m., walkout at 4:05 p.m. and arrive at the launch pad at 4:32 p.m.
SpaceX will close the rocket hatch at around 5:32 p.m. and begin fulling the Falcon 9 rocket at around 6:52 p.m.
2 p.m. update:
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed crews are monitoring onshore winds but everything is still go for launch at 7:27 p.m.
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1 p.m. update:
SpaceX has confirmed all systems are go for the Crew-1 launch at 7:27 p.m.
NASA officials said the weather is forecast to be 50% favorable for launch.
Original report:
Last-minute preparations are underway on the Space Coast as NASA and SpaceX get ready to send four Crew-1 astronauts into orbit.
Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence will also be at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Sunday night to see the launch, which is currently set for at around 7:27 p.m.
Click here to see our coverage of the first crewed launch
As of Saturday night, the weather for Sunday’s launch was 50 percent favorable.
The Crew-1 launch was originally scheduled for Saturday night, but it was pushed back because of onshore winds and recovery operations.
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The four astronauts onboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft will be the first operational mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew program.
There will be three NASA astronauts and one Japanese astronaut on-board.
Read: These 9 classic movies about space will get you ready for Sunday’s launch
The crew will spend about six months at the International Space Station before returning to Earth.
Channel 9 will have live coverage of the Crew-1 launch on-air and online.