How to watch SpaceX launch NASA astronauts to the ISS

A historic space flight is happening Wednesday and you don’t want to miss it. 

SpaceX is sending two NASA astronauts, Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, to the International Space Station on board its Crew Dragon spacecraft. 

This is the first American manned spaceflight in nearly a decade. Ever since NASA’s Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, the U.S. has relied on Russia’s Soyuz rockets to take astronauts into space. 

Now, SpaceX is looking to become the first private company to carry NASA astronauts to the ISS and — if this test flight is successful — eventually to the Moon and Mars. 

Crew Dragon is launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the first launch window opening at 4:33 p.m ET on Wednesday, May 27. Failing that, backup launch opportunities are on Saturday, May 30 at 3:22 p.m. ET, and on Sunday, May 31 at 3:00 p.m. ET. 

According to SpaceX, the weather forecast for the launch is 60 percent favorable, so there’s a good chance that it gets delayed for one of the later launch windows. 

You can watch the livestream on NASA’s YouTube channel and on SpaceX’s website, which also offers a handy countdown and a timeline of events. 

Live coverage will begin approximately four hours before liftoff.