2 astronauts to launch from American soil for first time since 2011
Florida’s Space Coast is preparing for liftoff — the first launch since 2011 that will send astronauts back into space from American soil.
You don’t have to be a NASA aficionado to know that this launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center will be history-making. To catch up before the big event, here are nine reasons to be out-of-this-world excited to watch the takeoff.
Why this launch is historic
Even if you don’t live along the Space Coast it’s hard not to experience the fanfare that a launch in Central Florida brings, but why is this launch so historic?
For starters, this is the first time astronauts will be launched into space from American soil since 2011. Over the last nine years, a lot has changed since then, including the science and safety for propelling two people out into orbit.
The launch scheduled for Wednesday also marks the first time a private spacecraft will carry astronauts into orbit in the history of space exploration. Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule will make that historic achievement.
SpaceX was founded by Musk in 2010 with a mission to privatize space exploration and seek “safe, reliable and cost-effective crew transportation to and from the ISS.”
