Kennedy Space Center

Briefing

For the first time in history, NASA astronauts have launched from American soil in a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft on its way to the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley lifted off at 3:22 p.m. EDT Saturday on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Hundreds of spectators at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida are looking up to the skies as they gather to marvel at rocket launches. Now their earth-bound feet are resting on a sustainable solution—artificial grass made with oil from soybeans grown in U.S. soil–that stands up to the heavy foot traffic demands of the rocket-watching crowds.