Logo

Two NASA astronauts were being strapped in for a historic SpaceX rocket launch Wednesday afternoon — but the weather could still derail their trip.

Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken rolled up inside Teslas around 1:30 p.m. to launch pad 39A in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for a mission to the International Space Station with Elon Musk’s space venture that would mark the first time a private company has sent humans into orbit.

With less than three hours until the planned liftoff, the doors of their gull-winged Tesla Model X SUVs — built by another Musk business — opened outward and upward to let the space veterans onto the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Both men were already suited up, and took their seats inside the brand-new Dragon capsule, where crew members began strapping them in.

But the weather could potentially complicate the plans for the liftoff, which will be attended by President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Blastoff is scheduled for 4:33 p.m., but launch controllers around midday put the chances of acceptable weather for liftoff at around 50-50 due to rain, clouds and thunderstorms.

If it goes ahead as planned, the mission will be the first time in nearly a decade that the country has launched astronauts into orbit from US soil.

With Post wires

1 of 10
NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley, left, and Robert Behnken ride a Tesla SUV on their way to Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley (left) and Robert Behnken ride a Tesla SUV on their way to Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.John Raoux/AP
NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken head to launch Pad39-A at the Kennedy Space Center.
NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken head to launch Pad39-A at the Kennedy Space Center.Joe Skipper/Reuters
Advertisement
SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk at the pre-launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at the Kennedy Space Center.
SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk at the pre-launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at the Kennedy Space Center.Saul Martinez/Getty Images
NASA Astronauts Doug Hurley, left, and Bob Behnken wave to their families before boarding at the pre-launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
NASA Astronauts Doug Hurley (left) and Bob Behnken wave to their families before boarding at the pre-launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.Saul Martinez/Getty Images
Vice President Mike Pence, SpaceX founder Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine are seen before launch at the Kennedy Space Center.
Vice President Mike Pence, SpaceX founder Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine before launch at the Kennedy Space Center.Joe Skipper/Reuters
Advertisement
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken greet their families before launch.
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken greet their families before launch.Joe Skipper/Reuters
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk toward Air Force One on their way to the Kennedy Space Center.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk toward Air Force One on their way to the Kennedy Space Center.Susan Walsh/AP
Advertisement

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy