Today marks the (hopeful) historic launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon capsule on top. Inside the craft, astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will lift off en route to the International Space Station.
This is the first time ever that NASA astronauts will utilize a commercially built spacecraft to reach the ISS. The craft was built under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and was developed entirely by SpaceX. Historically, NASA subcontracted numerous aerospace companies to build spacecraft, but SpaceX exists in the private sector.
But this is not the first time NASA astronauts will wear an Omega X-33 on a mission. Look carefully, and you’ll see one on the wrist of Behnken during the pre-launch checks with the signature velcro strap.