SpaceX's Falcon 9 readies for space mission

Launch Pad 39A is seen as NASA prepares for the launch of the SpaceX/Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, U.S., in this May 23, 2020 satellite image supplied by Maxar Technologies. Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies/Reuters

A satellite has spotted SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon in Florida, ready for its flight later this week.

Astronauts haven't launched from Florida for nearly nine years, following NASA's retirement of its space shuttle fleet in 2011.

However, on Wednesday May 27, this will change with the Demo-2 launch as part of NASA's commercial crew program.

The launch will see NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley step into a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and head out to the International Space Station.

The satellite images were taken as Behnken and Hurley conducted a dress rehearsal at the launch site ahead of the big day.

NASA is expected to hold a final briefing on the mission on Monday as the historic launch nears.

The flight is scheduled for Wednesday at 2033 GMT, which will begin a 19-hour trip to the International Space Station.

Behnken and Hurley will link up with three colleagues who have been in space since April.

Source(s): space.com