Two America NASA Astronauts were launched into orbit on Saturday, but this time traveling in a rocket that was produced by SpaceX.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off at 3:22 p.m. EDT, carrying astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley into space.

The rocket was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, which is the same launchpad that once served the Apollo missions.

This is the second time SpaceX's Crew Dragon has been launched into orbit.

the Crew Dragon capsule is an upgraded version from SpaceX's Dragon capsule, which has only carried cargo into space.

SpaceX was founded by the Tesla producing billionaire and innovator, Elon Musk, who hopes to one day colonize Mars with many more SpaceX missions.

This launch, known as NASA SpaceX Demo-2, is for testing the validity of Crew Dragon's human transportation to space.

During this launch, the capsule is tested for its performance during launching, orbiting, and docking and landing operations.

The Astronauts are veterans to NASA, having completed many space travel missions in the past.

Astronaut Behnken is responsible for operations such as rendezvous, docking and undocking, and Demo-2 activities at the space station.

Astronaut Hurley is the commander of Crew Dragon and responsible for launch, landing, and recovery.

Both astronauts were also in quarantine since May 13, due to the global pandemic that is taking over the nation.

The astronauts were selected to participate in the final and major tests of the Demo-2 operations.

One of the most important tests during this mission is for the astronauts to take manual control of the Crew Dragon.

The astronauts will do this test two times, to demonstrate their ability to control the spacecraft if there was ever a problem with its automated flight system.

Before approaching the space station, the astronauts will take control once more to manually orbit Crew Dragon to the docking axis.

These tests will prove that Crew Dragon is able to perform well during operational, long-duration missions to the space station.

NASA is hoping that the success of this mission prompts a new era of space race, that includes a partnership with privately-owned companies seeking space travel.

This was the first launch in over 16 years from the Kennedy Space Center, since NASA's retirement decision from the space shuttle program after losing the Columbia shuttle in 2003.