How to watch the historic SpaceX launch, ‘Demo-2,’ live online

Watch SpaceX’s first attempt at launching astronauts into outer space.

SpaceX has a chance to make history on Wednesday as the first commercial aerospace company to send humans into Earth’s orbit. In the mission called Demo-2, the company has organized the launch of two NASA astronauts in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.

Barring bad weather or technical issues, liftoff will take place at 4:33 p.m. ET. from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, Florida. They will then spend about 19 hours in space before arriving at the International Space Station, where they will spend 30 to 119 days.

It could be the first time the United States launches an astronaut into space since 2011 when the nation ended its Space Shuttle Program. Instead, American astronauts travel to and train in Russia, where they ride the Soyuz spacecraft. Two veteran astronauts — Robert Behnken, 49, and Douglas Hurley, 53 — may reverse that trend, with help from SpaceX, NASA and Elon Musk.

For those interested in watching the launch, there are no shortage of options. Here’s a full list of the NASA streams available:

The three-day even includes a busy schedule. Here’s a look at what SpaceX plans to pack into the launch and ensuing events, via Space.com.

Wednesday, May 27 (all times in EDT)

  • 12:15 p.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins (continues through docking
  • 4:33 p.m. – Liftoff
  • 5:22 p.m. – Crew Dragon phase burn
  • 6:05 p.m. – Far-field manual flight test
  • 7:05 p.m. – Astronaut downlink event from Crew Dragon
  • 7:30 p.m. – Postlaunch news conference at Kennedy

Thursday, May 28

  • 7:20 a.m. – Astronaut downlink event from Crew Dragon
  • 11:39 a.m. – Docking
  • 1:55 p.m. – Hatch Open
  • 2:25 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
  • 4:15 p.m. – Post-Arrival News Conference at Johnson

Friday, May 29

  • 11:05 a.m. – Space Station crew news conference, with NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley
  • 12:50 p.m. – SpaceX employee event and Class of 2020 Mosaic presentation, with NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy, Bob Behnken, and Doug Hurley

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