SpaceX and NASA launched the eighth operational human spaceflight mission (Crew-8) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Three astronauts and a cosmonaut launched aboard a Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket at 10:53 p.m. on 3 March 2024. During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, including new research to prepare human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew the Demo-2, Crew-2, Ax-1, and Crew-6 missions to and from the space station.

NASA and SpaceX will launch a crew of four on an American rocket and spacecraft to the International Space Station. The agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission will carry NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; Jeanette Epps, mission specialist; and Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following its arrival to the space station, Crew-8 will dock to the forward-facing port of the Harmony module.

The flight is the eighth crew rotation mission with SpaceX to station, and the ninth flight of Dragon with people as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The crew will spend several months living and working aboard the orbiting laboratory before returning to Earth in the fall of 2024.