SpaceX launches 4 astronauts to International Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX rocketed four astronauts toward the International Space Station early Thursday after the flight had been delayed earlier in the week.

>> Read more trending news

The rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A at 12:34 a.m. EST, WFTV reported.

The crew included the first astronaut from an Arab nation to experience a six-month stay, according to The Associated Press. Sultan al-Neyadi became the second astronaut from the United Arab Emirates to fly to space, according to the news organization.

The other members of the crew included NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, according to The Washington Post.

The mission is the sixth operational human space flight mission for NASA since it was awarded a $2.6 billion contract, the newspaper reported. It also flew a test flight of a pair of NASA astronauts in 2020 and has also launched two crews of private citizens, according to the Post.

The Dragon capsule is due to dock at the ISS on Friday, the AP reported.

During their time at the station, the crew will conduct more than 200 experiments and technological demonstrations, according to WFTV. They are related to life, physical sciences, advanced materials, technology development, in-space production applications and student-led research, according to the television station.

SpaceX postponed an earlier launch attempt on Monday after a problem with a ground system, the Post reported. The ground system supplies a liquid that combines with liquid oxygen to ignite the rocket booster’s nine engines, according to the newspaper.