Launch your day with Crew-2

Be part of the NASA mission and watch history on April 23 as we launch astronauts from American soil for the second time since 2011.

Crew-2 is set to launch at 4:49 a.m. CT, April 23, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Browse this blog post to find tips for your watch party, and then join us at Space Center Houston to see a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, just like the one that launched Crew-2.

The live stream

You will be able to watch the live launch below or on NASA Television.

The mission

Last summer, a new era of human spaceflight began as American astronauts once again launched on an American rocket from American soil to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The Crew-2 launch continues that mission.

This is the second crew rotation flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon and the first with two international partners. The flight follows certification by NASA for regular flights to the space station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

The launch, on a Falcon 9 rocket, is targeted for 4:49 a.m. CT, April 23, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Prelaunch activities, launch, and docking will air live on NASA TV.

The Crew-2 flight will carry NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur – who will serve as the mission’s spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively – along with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station for a six-month science mission.

The playlist

Every party needs a good playlist. Our spacey Spotify song selections have all of the cosmic classics you’re looking for in a rocket launch watch party.

The menu

Create an atmosphere

DIY space decorations – anything from rocket garlands to starry balloons to intergalactic lighting will create the perfect photo backdrop.

This is a perfect time to drag those holiday lights out of storage and create your own starry sky. Print and color a few NASA coloring pages and decorate the room with your own solar system.