Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil (59 images)

SpaceX's first mission with NASA astronauts on board launched at 3:22 p.m. EDT May 30, 2020, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.This was the first crewed launch from U.S. soil since the space shuttle era ended in 2011. The Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station the following day, delivering two American astronauts. The astronauts successfully returned to Earth on August 2.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket stand on Launch Complex 39A on May 29. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI

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NASA and SpaceX were attempting the launch a second time after the launch was scrubbed on May 27 due to weather. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI

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Hurley (L) and Behnken depart the checkout building. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI

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The Falcon 9 vents fuel after NASA and SpaceX management called a hold to the launch on May 27 due to weather. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI

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