PHOTOS: SpaceX completes historic manned launch, sending 2 NASA astronauts into orbit from American soil

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After some rocky weather threatened to scrub the launch for a second time, SpaceX successfully sent the Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit, making it the first manned launch from American soil since 2011 and the first for a private space company.

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken have now made history and are on their way to the International Space Station.

Here are some photos of the historic day.

BEFORE THE LAUNCH

LAUNCH PHOTOS

SPECTATOR SHOTS

WHAT'S NEXT?

From here, Hurley and Behnken will test the Crew Dragon spacecraft's system for the first time in orbit while traveling to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Crew Dragon spacecraft is capable of staying in orbit for about 210 days but the specific duration of their mission has not been determined yet. NASA will make this decision based on the readiness of the next commercial crew launch. 

RELATED: After the manned launch, what is next for space exploration?

When the mission ends, NASA said the Crew Dragon spacecraft will undock with the two astronauts on board and depart the International Space Station. They will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and splashdown just off of Florida's Atlantic Coast. The SpaceX Navigator recovery vessel will bring them back to Cape Canaveral.

Tune in to FOX 35 for the latest news along the Space Coast.

MOBILE USERS: Click here to tune in to FOX 35 Orlando