NASA, SpaceX set to launch space station's next crew to orbit

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands on the launch pad as it is prepared for launch to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Thom Baur

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - Elon Musk's private rocket company, SpaceX, was due to launch four more astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Wednesday, including a veteran spacewalker and two younger crewmates chosen to join NASA's forthcoming lunar missions.

The SpaceX-built launch vehicle, consisting of a Crew Dragon capsule perched atop a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, was set for liftoff at 9:03 p.m. (0200 GMT Thursday) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.