SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch at Kennedy Space Center on February 18

In just a few days, you’re invited to watch as Kennedy Space Center launches SpaceX from the Center’s LC-39 A for the first time!   

The Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Dragon spacecraft on a resupply mission to the International Space Station. It will land the first stage of the rocket back on the Cape Canaveral landing site.   

On Sunday, Kennedy Space Center performed a test-firing of a Falcon 9 rocket’s nine main engines. The firing completed several days of work to shake out new systems installed at pad 39A for Falcon launches. It looks like all systems are a go for Saturday’s launch.  

"This is the same launch pad used by the Saturn V rocket that first took people to the moon in 1969," wrote SpaceX's CEO Elon Musk on Instagram on Friday. "We are honored to be allowed to use it."

In addition to crew supplies and equipment, the CRS-10 Dragon spacecraft will bring the space station several science investigations, including 20 live mice for studies on what prevents vertebrates from re-growing bone and tissue; two Earth science payloads; a technology demo; and an experiment supporting antibiotic drug development.

The launch time is scheduled for 10:01 a.m. You can find discounted tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex right here on Best of Orlando.   

Cape Canaveral, FL – 2/15/17

By: Jena Pugh