SpaceX launch today: How to watch Ax-3 mission to send four astronauts to the ISS

SpaceX is partnering with Texas-based startup Axiom Space to launch the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft Thursday afternoon, which will send four astronauts to the International Space Station to conduct scientific experiments.

An Ax-3 launch attempt scheduled for Wednesday afternoon was delayed. SpaceX officials said the postponement allows crews "to complete pre-launch checkouts and data analysis on the vehicle."

SpaceX will begin a livestream two hours prior to the scheduled 4:49 p.m. ET launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida.

The Dragon spacecraft previously flew Crew-4 and Ax-2 to and from the International Space Station. After stage separation, SpaceX says Falcon 9's first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, just east of the Kennedy Space Center.

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How to watch SpaceX launch

You can watch a livestream of the launch on X. The stream is set to begin at 2:39 p.m. ET on Thursday. Both SpaceX and X are owned by billionaire Elon Musk.

You can also follow the progress of the Dragon spacecraft on the SpaceX website.

Who are the astronauts on board?

The international crew heading to the space station consists of Michael López-Alegría from the U.S., Walter Villadei from Italy, Alper Gezeravcı from Turkey and Marcus Wandt from Sweden.

Once on board the International Space Station, the crew will conduct more than 30 scientific experiments and demonstrations, according to SpaceX, which will be "focused on human physiology and technological industrial advancements."

Contributing: Rick Neale, Florida Today