KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — SpaceX and NASA successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday, which is carrying supplies and science experiments to the International Space Station.

What You Need To Know

  • The rocket will dock with the ISS on Saturday

  • Get more space coverage here

  • Scroll down to re-watch the launch live

Weather was an issue for the better part of the day, but it held out for the 18th Space Coast launch of 2021.

The Space X Falcon 9 blasted off Pad 39A on the CRS-22 mission to the ISS right on time a 1:29 p.m. from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

Inside a Dragon cargo capsule atop the Falcon 9 rocket for Thursday's launch are science experiments, 3,000 pounds of new solar arrays to power future work and supplies and equipment for the International Space Station crew.

"They (new solar arrays) will roll out like blankets on our current solar arrays, and once they are rolled out, combined with our current arrays, it's going to increase our power generation by about 30 percent," says Jennifer Buchli, NASA Chief Deputy Scientist, ISS Program.

Less than 10 minutes after launch, the first stage booster of the Falcon 9 returned and landed on the seafaring drone ship "Of Course I Still Love You" in the Atlantic Ocean.

It's the first flight for this booster and the cargo capsule.

If all goes well, the Dragon cargo ship is scheduled to autonomously dock at the ISS early on Saturday, June 5.

The next Space Coast launch is right around the corner. SpaceX is sending up the SXM-8 mission Sunday at 12:26 a.m.

For now, you can view Thursday's launch again.

Re-Watch Live