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LIVE: SpaceX launches Crew-3 astronauts from Florida

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Four astronauts are ready to blast off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 9:03 p.m.

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WATCH LIVE: SpaceX Crew-3 launch coverage

Watch the NASA and SpaceX livestream of the Crew-3 launch scheduled for 9:03 p.m. ET.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Dragon Endurance on the way to space station

The second stage of the rocket separated and continues to push the Dragon spacecraft into space. Crew-3 is officially on their way to the space station.

More than 5 minutes into launch everything is going as planned.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Liftoff! Go Dragon, Go Falcon 9, Go Crew-3!

A Falcon 9 rocket launched at 9:03 p.m. from Kennedy Space Center's historic launchpad 39A sending a brand-new Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft on it's way to the space station with NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer. 

The rocket booster will land on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean in about 8 minutes.

Posted by Emilee Speck

T-minus 10 minutes, still 'go' for launch

Falcon 9 fueling is about 80% finished. The launch is an instantaneous window at 9:03 p.m. At this point, any delay will mean a scrub for the day.

There are no issues in the final minutes to launch.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Rocket fueling underway

Propellant is being loaded into the Falcon 9's first stage booster. Next up, fueling begins on the second stage.

Crew-3 liftoff is less than 30 minutes away.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Launch escape system armed

After a final poll, the Dragon launch escape system is now armed.

The escape system is a safety precaution for the astronauts in the event something happens the spacecraft "will go shooting off that rocket" sending the crew to safety, explains NASA Astronaut Shannon Walker.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Dragon Endurance 'go for launch;' 1 hour to liftoff

All the SpaceX teams have cleared the launchpad. Next, the crew access arm will move away from the launch tower. After a final weather briefing the Dragon spacecraft emergency abort system will be armed and fueling can begin.

"Endurance is go for launch."

Posted by Emilee Speck

Weather is again 'go' for launch

Rain around the launchpad has moved out and once again, the range is "green" for Falcon 9 liftoff at 9:03 p.m.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Dragon Endurance spacecraft hatch is closed

SpaceX teams have closed the spacecraft hatch and are checking for leaks.

Weather is currently "no go" because of rain in the area but it's expected to pass in time for launch.

A finale weather briefing will happen before the Dragon emergency escape system is armed.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Strap in for launch

With the help of SpaceX teams all four astronauts are in their spacecraft.

They will be strapped in for launch before the hatch closes. Their custom seats will be rotated for launch position, and final suit leak checks will also be happening at this time. SpaceX will close the spacecraft hatch and then check it is secured and no "foreign object debris" prevents a tight seal.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Rain lets up as astronaut arrive to rocket

The Crew-3 astronauts arrived at launchpad 39A and are checking out their ride to space before heading up the launch tower.

The misting rain around the launch area has stopped, a good sign for liftoff.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Tunes for the road to the launchpad

The astronauts built a playlist for the drive to the launchpad.

Posted by Emilee Speck

All eyes on the weather

FOX Weather's Max Gorden is live from Jetty Park where launch viewers are beginning to gather.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Astronauts are about to depart for launchpad

The astronauts will ride two to a Tesla to KSC launchpad 39A.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Falcon 9, Dragon healthy and ready for Crew-3

SpaceX engineer John Insprucker said the Falcon 9 rocket is powered on and the hatch to Crew Dragon is open awaiting its astronaut crew.

The astronauts are working about 15 minutes ahead of schedule putting the suits on.

Despite the rain and hazy sky down range, Insprucker said it's still expected to move out in time for launch.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Astronauts get their spacesuits on

SpaceX suit techs are helping the four astronauts into their black-and-white spacesuits. This is happening in the Kennedy Space Center Operations and Checkout Building.

After suit leak checks, the crew will next walk out and say goodbye to their family and friends.

The launch director just provided an update and said there are no issues they are tracking for launch.

Posted by Emilee Speck

SpaceX expects weather to stay clear of launchpad

SpaceX engineer John Insprucker says the astronauts are about to begin donning their black-and-white spacesuits.

He said while teams are watching the rain and clouds around the Cape they expect the weather to stay west of the launch pad for liftoff.

Posted by Emilee Speck

European astronaut Matthias Maurer says the wait is over

European Space Agency Astronaut Matthias Maurer, of Germany, says he and the rest of the Crew-3 astronauts are ready for liftoff.

He hopes to send his next tweet from space.

Posted by Emilee Speck

NASA, SpaceX still targeting liftoff Wednesday night

After a launch readiness review Tuesday, mission managers at NASA and SpaceX felt confident in moving ahead with the Crew-3 launch Wednesday at 9:03 p.m. The launch date has been delayed several times due to weather and a minor medical issue with one of the astronauts.

Posted by Emilee Speck

Soggy start for Crew-3 launch day

Launch watchers are gathering at Jetty Park for the 9:03 p.m. liftoff, but the weather is less than pleasant. It's been raining off and on all day. The 45th Weather Squadron is still forecasting a 70% chance of favorable weather for liftoff.

Posted by Emilee Speck

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