Watch the Falcon 9 light its engines for a static test fire (members only)

NASA has submitted a draft agreement for government approval that would allow Russian cosmonauts to begin flying to the International Space Station on U.S. crew capsules next year in a no-funds exchanged arrangement with Russia’s space agency. In return, Russia will continue launching U.S. and international astronauts on Soyuz missions.

Launching a highly sophisticated infrared surveillance satellite for the U.S. military, a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket thunders away from Cape Canaveral.

The Starlink 12-5 mission includes 13 satellites featuring Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 12:12 a.m. EST (0512 UTC).