SpaceX’s first-ever human flight launches this weekend - here's how to watch it live
NASA will make history this weekend when two astronauts jet off to the International Space Station.
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are the central figures of the American space agency’s first manned mission since 2011 and the discontinuation of its Shuttle programme.
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Hide AdThe mission – known as ‘Demo-2’ – is also notable for being the first undertaken by NASA to make use of a rocket and capsule system provided by a private company.
SpaceX – the American aerospace company founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk – is providing the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule used to transport the astronauts.
It's the first time the space transportation firm has launched a crew into space, though SpaceX does have plenty of experience launching satellites.
Demo-2 is a demonstration of SpaceX's ability to ferry astronauts to the space station and back safely; a successful mission will see the the Crew Dragon capsule certified by Nasa's Commercial Crew Programme for more long-term manned missions.
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Hide AdYou’ll be able to witness the launch live through the wonders of the internet, and even see part of it yourself – if conditions are just right.
Here's everything you need to know: