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SpaceX launch kicks off new era for human spaceflight

Two astronauts have kicked off a new era of human space flight with a historic first: a launch into space from US soil using a rocket built in the country by a private company.

Astronauts Doug Hurly and Bob Behnken rumbled upwards, entering orbit 12 minutes into flight, signalling the end of the climb into space.

The nail-biting launch successfully skirted volatile weather conditions that had already delayed take off from Wednesday, the planned date.

"It's been way too long," NASA's Jim Bridenstine said following the launch.

"I was praying, I'm not going to lie to you."

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft shown launching successfully from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
The rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft shown launching successfully from Pad 39A. Source: Sipa USA via AAP

The astronauts took off in the Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket, both built by private commercial spaceflight company SpaceX.

The astronauts on the Demo-2 mission are to head to the International Space Station (ISS).

It was the first launch from US territory in nearly a decade and the first time a private firm, rather than a government space agency, has sent astronauts into orbit.

If everything goes according to plan, the two astronauts will dock at the ISS on Sunday, where they will likely remain for months.

Elon Musk with his hands in the air after the manned SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission lifted off.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk jumps in the air after the manned Falcon 9 Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission lifted off. Source: EPA via AAP

The purpose of the trip is to complete the validation of human spaceflight operations for SpaceX hardware, which will pave the way for private companies to ferry astronauts to the ISS.

According to NASA, SpaceX along with Boeing, which is also developing rockets, will be able to launch crews to low-earth orbit allowing the government agency to focus on deep space missions - with an eye towards Mars.

Since the US stopped its own launches in 2011 under then-president Barack Obama to focus on deep space missions, the country's space program has relied on hitching rides aboard Russian Soyuz rockets, at a growing cost.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the sky after lift-off from the Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Kennedy Space Center on Saturday (local time). Source: TNS via AAP

On Wednesday, Mr Hurley and Mr Behnken were aboard the capsule, preparing to blast off from the space centre in Florida when they were informed that the launch was scrubbed, just minutes before the much-anticipated take off.

SpaceX, the Elon Musk-founded company which built the rocket and capsule, has a history of cargo launches to the ISS.

The company's vessels have reached the station about 20 times with supplies, including scientific gear. However, this will be its first human cargo.s

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