CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Thursday evening, lighting up the night sky.
The rocket blasted off at 8:45 p.m.
The rocket launched Nusantara Satu, a communication satellite for Indonesia, as well as a commercial moon lander and small satellites.
TRENDING NOW:
- UCF president offers resignation amid school's misuse of millions in funds
- 'No good deed goes unpunished': Trooper recalls decision to shoot, kill 15-year-old boy
- Florida statue commemorating iconic WWII 'kiss photo' vandalized with '#MeToo' graffiti
- WATCH: Man driving semitruck on I-4 arrested in connection with Longwood murder, police say
The rocket carried an Israeli spacecraft into orbit, marking the first time Israel and a privately funded spacecraft will land on the moon.
"Beresheet," which is Hebrew for "genesis," is about the size of a kitchen table and weighs about 350 pounds with fuel.
Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL said it has been working on the lunar lander since 2011.
SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral🚀 Here's another look at this evening's beautiful rocket launch in Cape Canaveral. Let's hear it for Brevard County! at.wftv.com/2V5fq79
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Thursday, February 21, 2019
WATCH LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape CanaveralWATCH LIVE: SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. Read: at.wftv.com/2V5fq79
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Thursday, February 21, 2019
It will take about two months for the spacecraft to arrive at the moon.
After it lands and sends a picture back to Earth, it will deploy a handful of science experiments.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex held a viewing party for the launch with commentary from experts and access to some of the visitor complex’s exhibits and attractions.
>> Click here for more news from Florida's Space Coast!
Next @SpaceX #Falcon9 launch is scheduled for Thursday evening. A few cumulus clouds in the area notwithstanding, the launch weather looks great! @WFTV pic.twitter.com/GAjtsYvPxn
— tom terry (@TTerryWFTV) February 19, 2019
>> Click here to watch your 5-day forecast from Severe Weather Center 9
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting February 21 launch of Nusantara Satu from Pad 40 in Florida.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 19, 2019
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, Feb. 21 at 8:45 p.m. for the #Falcon9 Nusantara Satu launch from SLC-40. 🚀
— Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (@ExploreSpaceKSC) February 19, 2019
Join us for a spectacular night launch at #KennedySpaceCenter Visitor Complex! Launch viewing opportunities are now available for purchase at https://t.co/xsxh2epekv. pic.twitter.com/ugBqhPsjGw
Cox Media Group