WooHoo SpaceX! WooHoo NASA!

What a week covering the first commercial crew flight with astronauts aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center. I was at the last shuttle mission in 2011 and fortunate to be back for this historic launch, both times for Reuters. Besides the rocket, a major difference this time was all the safety precautions in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing was enforced and everyone was required to wear masks. A limit on the number of credentials that were issued. No wire vans, no buses. Remote camera set-up accomplished in personal vehicles with NASA escorts. Lots of rain. Weather scrub on the first launch attempt. On the second try, it was perfect, picture-perfect. It ended with a post-launch briefing with the president and vice-president. NASA Administrator Bridenstine was ecstatic and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk lept for the stars.