Final preparations underway for historic crewed launch from Florida

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Final preparations are underway for the first historic crewed flight in almost a decade.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift off from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Both are on the launchpad.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft is sitting atop a Falcon 9 rocket on launch complex 39A. The two NASA astronauts will get the chance to climb into the dragon and walk through the pre-launch timeline while inside the vehicle before the launch.

NASA is recommending people watch the launch from home to adhere to social distancing. Still, Brevard County is asking the public to plan ahead and expect a lot of traffic for the launch in the area.

For those who do plan to see the launch from afar, the Space Coast Office of Tourism has suggested booking a room ahead of time.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will not reopen until May 28, the following day.

© 2020 Cox Media Group