SpaceX and NASA complete historic launch successfully
By Jackie Wattles, CNN Business
Updated 7:23 PM ET, Sat May 30, 2020
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2:00 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
It just started pouring rain at the launch pad
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
Weather was always going to be a toss up today. And it's still more than two hours until liftoff time, but the patchy blue skies were just taken over by storm clouds.
It hasn't made it to the press site quite yet, but film crews say it's already down-pouring at the launch pad.
"The weather is still iffy," launch officials said around 1:15 pm.
1:24 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
Astronauts like music, too
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
On the ride to the launch pad, astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley enjoyed a handpicked playlists. Among the selections: AC/DC's "Back in Black," Brazilian jazz song "Garota de Ipanema" ("The Girl from Ipanema"), and the Army's French horn version of the "Star Spangled Banner."
1:12 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
Space fans flock to Central Florida
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
Stacy Stockwell, a woman from Orlando in her 50s, drove with a group of friends overnight to lock down a viewing spot off the side of a roadway in Cape Canaveral.
She arrived at 3 am and took a nap in her truck.
When asked if she was concerned about Covid-19 risks, Stockwell said, "I am a little bit."
She said Wednesday's launch attempt drew jam-packed crowds to the area, and "people aren't very good at social distancing," she added.
Still, Stockwell didn't want to miss out on the historic moment. They set up shop a bit further inland on Saturday, hoping to avoid some of some of the crowds.
12:51 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
The astronauts are in the capsule
Doug Hurley settles in on the Crew Dragon Saturday.
1:00 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
This launch pad was also used for the Apollo 11 moon landing
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft will take off from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A riding atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
39A has a rich spaceflight history: It was the starting point for 11 different Apollo missions, including the first-ever moon landing in 1969. It was later used for the majority of NASA's Space Shuttle launches.
SpaceX signed a contract with NASA in 2014 to lease the pad for the next 20 years.
12:42 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
Astronauts begin boarding Crew Dragon
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are now climbing aboard their Crew Dragon capsule. The process is called ingress in spaceflight terms: It's a slow, methodical series of steps, and Behnken and Hurley are helped by several technicians dressed in all-black jumpsuits.
Behnken and Hurley will strap themselves in, perform a series of communications checks, and then the hatch will be closed — locking them in until liftoff.
It's still more than two hours until launch time. But SpaceX says the astronauts will be very comfortable in their seats, which were designed specifically for each astronaut.
2:06 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
The crew has arrived
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley just pulled up to the launch pad in their Tesla Model X's.
They'll now climb up several sets of stairs to the "crew access arm," which allows the astronauts to board the capsule as it sits atop SpaceX's 200-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket.
12:33 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
Astronauts head to the launch pad
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are well into their launch-day routine: They finished suiting up in their spacesuits, gave air hugs to their families, and they're now heading for launch pad 39A — where SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule are waiting for them.
7:05 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
Massive crowds came out to watch the first countdown, despite Covid-19
From CNN Business' Jackie Wattles
Huge crowds of spectators gathered in Titusville, FL to watch the first NASA SpaceX launch on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
Despite a tornado warning, rolling thunderstorms and the risks of spreading Covid-19, spectators came out in full force to watch the first launch attempt on Wednesday.
Bridenstine and SpaceX chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell previously implored the public to follow the launch on television in order to prevent crowds of spectators from triggering a Covid 19 outbreak.
Even more people could turn out for the weekend launch attempt.
Restrictions in Florida continue to loosen despite upticks in confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the state.
People who had gathered to watch Wednesday's SpaceX launch leave Marina Park in Titusville, Florida after it was scrubbed. Red Huber/Getty Images
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which was closed during Wednesday's launch attempt, officially reopened on Thursday.
The center's website says only a limited number of people will be allowed on site to view this launch. Masks and temperature checks will be required for all guests.
Tickets quickly sold out after going on sale earlier this week.