SpaceX Launch 2021: Photos

By:

Elissa Anderson

April 3, 2023 6:38PM EDT

Four astronauts were launched into space by SpaceX on April 23, 2021, and these photos show their preparations for takeoff.

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Space X Launch 2021

Space X Launch 2021 — On April 23, 2021, another SpaceX rocket was launched with a mission to reach the International Space Station. Aboard the spacecraft were four astronauts, who will spend six months on the ISS, learning more about how gravity affects all living things!

From left to right, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet pose for a photo after arriving at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceX’s Crew-2 mission, on Friday, April 16, 2021, in Florida.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission is the second operational mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Kimbrough, McArthur, Pesquet, and Hoshide are scheduled to launch at 6:11 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 22, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. To see more photos from the 2021 SpaceX launch, check out the rest of the photos in this gallery!

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Astronaut Megan McArthur

Astronaut Megan McArthur — NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur smiles as she stops to greet her family as she walks out from the O&C Building at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Friday, April 23, 2021. McArthur is assigned as Pilot for the second operational mission to the International Space Station
NASA crew-2 walks out for launch from the Kennedy Space Center on April 23, 2021.

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Space X Launch

Space X Launch — SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide onboard, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 23, 2021. They’re headed toward the International Space Station.

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The SpaceX Crew Dragon

The SpaceX Crew Dragon — From left to right, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, are seen as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 39A to board the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-2 mission launch, on Friday, April 23, 2021, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission is the second crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Kimbrough, McArthur, Pesquet, and Hoshide are scheduled to launch at 5:49 a.m. EDT on April 23, 2021.

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Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk

Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk — Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk watches the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide onboard,, from the balcony of Operations Support Building II at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission is the first crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Kimbrough, McArthur, Pesquet, and Hoshide launched at 5:49 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center to begin a six month mission onboard the orbital outpost.

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The SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

The SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands on Complex 39A as it is prepared for launching the second operational Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Thursday, April 22, 2021. On board are NASA Astronauts, Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur as well as Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and European Space Agency Astronaut, Thomas Pesquet.
NASA Crew-2 Prepared to Launch on SpaceX Falcon Rocket From KSC, Cape Canaveral, Florida on April 22, 2021.

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