How to watch the SpaceX rocket launch: start time, free livestream, TV channels

By Tribune News Service

Updated: May 27, 2020 Published: May 27, 2020

NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley, left, and Robert Behnken ride a Tesla SUV from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Pad 39-A, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The two astronauts will fly on a SpaceX test flight to the International Space Station. For the first time in nearly a decade, astronauts will blast into orbit aboard an American rocket from American soil, a first for a private company. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

UPDATE: NASA postponed Wednesday’s launch until Saturday due to adverse weather conditions on the launch range.

Original story:

On Wednesday, a SpaceX rocket is scheduled to send two NASA astronauts into orbit, with liftoff from historic Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Cape Canaveral set for 12:33 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time.

Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are set to board the SpaceX Dragon capsule and make the trip to the International Space Station. The craft comes from Tesla founder Elon Musk’s SpaceX program and would mark the first time a private company put astronauts into orbit.

Despite concerns over the coronavirus outbreak and inclement weather in the forecast, the launch is still set to take place. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to be in attendance at the Kennedy Space Center for the launch.

The launch, flight and docking at the ISS will be carried on multiple platforms across TV and livestream services. Here’s all the info you need to watch:

[Flying astronauts has always been risky. No wonder NASA and SpaceX are on edge today.]

Start time: The launch is set for 12:33 p.m. ADT while TV coverage is set to begin hours earlier on Discovery and the Science Channel. Backup launch opportunities are available on Saturday, May 30 at 11:22 a.m. ADT, and on Sunday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m. ADT.

TV Channel: Discovery and the Science Channel will have a special broadcast starting at 9 a.m. ADT. Meanwhile, National Geographic and ABC News Live will have a two-hour “Launch America: Mission to Space Live,” live coverage special starting at 11 a.m. ADT.

Live stream: You can stream the launch for free on SpaceX’s website, which will begin coverage four hours before the launch. The launch will also be available to stream on Hulu; YouTube TV; FuboTV and Sling TV.

Coverage of events leading up to the launch, the launch and docking will also be available for viewing on the NASA TV channel on YouTube.