A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Florida carrying four astronauts from the US, Canada and Russia.
On a science mission focused on human health in space.
The 25-storey rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral with a Crew Dragon capsule carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney.
Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
Within minutes, the reusable first-stage booster separated and guided itself back toward Earth for landing.
The upper stage then sent the Dragon capsule into orbit.
“Dragon separation confirmed. Jessica, Luke, Josh, Sergey, welcome to orbit,” SpaceX mission control told the crew.
The spacecraft is expected to spend about eight hours travelling to the International Space Station, roughly 400km above Earth, before docking.
What Will They Actually Do?
Their mission includes biomedical research examining how microgravity affects blood circulation and clotting.
Along with collecting health data that could help prepare astronauts for future missions.
Watkins, 38, is making her second spaceflight and becomes the first NASA astronaut to fly twice aboard Crew Dragon.
The other three crew members are making their spaceflight debuts.
The mission is NASA’s 13th long-duration ISS crew launched aboard a SpaceX vehicle since 2020.
With four nations represented on one spacecraft, space cooperation continues.
Even when Earth itself can feel considerably less cooperative.
