Chairwomen Johnson and Horn Celebrate Successful SpaceX Demo-2 Arrival at Space Station

On Saturday afternoon, NASA Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on the first crewed demonstration flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. This is the final flight test for SpaceX’s crew transportation system and the first time it carried a crew. Earlier this morning, the spacecraft successfully docked to the ISS.

“After nearly ten years of investment and development efforts, NASA astronauts launched from American soil have successfully docked to the International Space Station,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “This momentous accomplishment is a direct outcome of years of federal investment and collaboration between the government and the private sector. It is an exciting day, and I want to congratulate all those who made it possible.”

“Congratulations to NASA and SpaceX on yesterday’s successful demonstration launch of astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station (ISS),” said Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairwoman Kendra Horn (D-OK). “As the first launch of American astronauts on an American rocket from American soil in almost a decade, the Demo-2 mission marks a significant milestone for our nation’s human space flight program and Commercial Crew.  I applaud the SpaceX and NASA teams for their dedication and tireless work, and I look forward to continued progress toward the certification of Crew Dragon for safe and routine transportation of NASA astronauts to the ISS.”