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Astronauts Arrive at Kennedy Space Center Ahead of May 27 Launch

VOA News

   NASAandtheKennedy Space Center in Florida havewelcomed thetwo
   astronauts who,next Wednesday,are scheduledtohead to space, becoming
   the first humans to do so from U.S. soil in nine years.

   NASA test pilots Doug Hurley and Bob Behnkenarrivedfrom their home base
   in Houston aboard one of the space agency's jetsWednesday. They
   willalso make history as the first astronauts togointo space in
   aprivately-fundedspacecraft.

   The two are scheduled to blast offatop a [1]SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket,
   bound for the International Space Station.

   Hurley was a crew member on the final shuttle flight launched from the
   space center July 4, 2011. He told reporters itwas "incredibly
   humbling" to be there for the restart of mannedspace launchesfrom the
   United States.

   Behnken called it"anopportunity but also a responsibility for the
   American people, for the SpaceX team, for all of NASA."

   Hurley and Behnkenare scheduledtodockatthe International Space
   Stationon the 28th. The twostill don't know how long they'll spend at
   the space station. Only one American,Chris Cassidy, is there now.

   Since the end of theshuttle program in 2011, the only way to
   theorbiting outposthas been on Russian rockets launched from
   Kazakhstan.

References

   1. https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/spacex-rocket-prepared-for-demo-2-mission/

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