The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, October 5.
In pictures: SpaceX's historic Crew-5 launch
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, October 5.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Updated 2240 GMT (0640 HKT) October 06, 2022

SpaceX and NASA launched a crew of astronauts on a trip to the International Space Station on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Dubbed Crew-5, the mission is the sixth astronaut flight launched as a joint endeavor between NASA and SpaceX, a privately held aerospace company, to the space station. The four crew members are astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada of NASA, astronaut Koichi Wakata of JAXA, or the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and cosmonaut Anna Kikina of Roscosmos

It marks a historic moment, as Mann became the first Native American woman ever to travel to space. She's also serving as mission commander, making her the first woman ever to take on such a role for a SpaceX mission.

What's more, Kikina is the first Russian to join a SpaceX mission as part of a ride-sharing deal between NASA and Russia's space agency, Roscosmos. Her participation in the flight is the latest clear signal that, despite mounting tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the decades-long US-Russia partnership in space will persist — at least for now.

People watch the launch from Cocoa Beach, Florida, near the Kennedy Space Center.
People watch the launch from Cocoa Beach, Florida, near the Kennedy Space Center.
Malcolm Denemark/Florida Today/USA Today Network
The spacecraft heads toward the International Space Station.
The spacecraft heads toward the International Space Station.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
People watch the rocket take off from inside the launch control center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
People watch the rocket take off from inside the launch control center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
The rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center.
The rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators in Cocoa Beach watch the launch.
Spectators in Cocoa Beach watch the launch.
Malcolm Denemark/Florida Today/USA Today Network
A countdown clock is shown as the rocket lifts off.
A countdown clock is shown as the rocket lifts off.
Steve Nesius/Reuters
Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina gestures while departing the crew quarters for launch. She is the first Russian to join a SpaceX mission.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina gestures while departing the crew quarters for launch. She is the first Russian to join a SpaceX mission.
Steve Nesius/Reuters
Astronaut Nicole Mann greets her family while departing the crew quarters. She is now the first Native American woman ever to travel to space. She's also serving as mission commander, making her the first woman ever to take on such a role for a SpaceX mission.
Astronaut Nicole Mann greets her family while departing the crew quarters. She is now the first Native American woman ever to travel to space. She's also serving as mission commander, making her the first woman ever to take on such a role for a SpaceX mission.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
The four crew members leave the Operations and Checkout building before heading to the launch pad on Wednesday. Joining Kikina and Mann are Josh Cassada of NASA, front left, and Koichi Wakata of JAXA, or the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The four crew members leave the Operations and Checkout building before heading to the launch pad on Wednesday. Joining Kikina and Mann are Josh Cassada of NASA, front left, and Koichi Wakata of JAXA, or the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
John Raoux/AP
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft sits on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, October 4.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft sits on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, October 4.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
Preparations continue on Tuesday. Crew-5 is slated to return from the International Space Station about five months after the launch.
Preparations continue on Tuesday. Crew-5 is slated to return from the International Space Station about five months after the launch.
JIM Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Photographers set up remote cameras on Tuesday to capture the SpaceX rocket.
Photographers set up remote cameras on Tuesday to capture the SpaceX rocket.
Terry Renna/AP