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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

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.

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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 Canaveral

WATCH 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.

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