WATCH: SpaceX successfully launches Crew Dragon for first time

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – It was a successful overnight launch for SpaceX at NASA's Kennedy Space Center as Elon Musk's company got one step closer to launching astronauts from U.S. soil.

The Falcon 9 rocket and the human-rated Crew Dragon spacecraft launched Saturday at 2:49 a.m. from pad 39A, the same historic pad where three astronauts launched to the moon almost 50 years ago.

[WATCH IT AGAIN: SpaceX successfully launches Crew Dragon, lands first first-stage booster]

SpaceX also landed the rocket's first-stage booster on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean about 10 minutes after launch. The booster used for the first Crew Dragon launch had not previously flown.

[PHOTOS: SpaceX first Crew Dragon launch]

While there aren't be astronauts on this Demo-1 test flight, there is a mannequin, named Ripley, for Sigourney Weaver's character in "Alien," Ellen Ripley. The mannequin is wearing a sleek black-and-white SpaceX spacesuit and sensors to monitor what live astronauts will experience during launch.

Follow updates below throughout the day from the News 6 launch coverage team:

2:50 a.m.

Falcon 9 lifted off at 2:49 a.m. Saturday from Kennedy Space Center, successfully launching Crew Dragon into space for the first time.

Dragon separated from the second stage and is on its way to chase the space station before it arrives Sunday for docking.

It's the first time a commercial company launched an astronaut-ready spacecraft to the International Space Station, and if the test flight goes well it will pave the way for the first launch with astronauts from the U.S. in eight years.

About 10 minutes after launch, Falcon 9's booster returned to Earth and landed on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

2 a.m.

Good morning! The Falcon 9 liftoff is less than an hour away and weather continues to look good, according to Air Force weather officials.

The launch livestream is now at the top of this story. Watch live as SpaceX launches the first commercially built human-rated spacecraft to the International Space Station.

Remember to stay tuned about 10 minutes post liftoff. SpaceX also plans to land the Falcon 9's booster on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

11:45 p.m.

Liftoff is still on track for 2:49 a.m. Saturday from historic launch pad 39A. We'll carry live video beginning after 2 a.m.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has added another passenger to the Crew Dragon -- besides the sensor-wearing anthropermorgic test mannequin: a plush Earth.

The stuffed-toy will act as a marker for when astronauts on Crew Dragon would begin to experience the weightlessness during their flight.

11 p.m.

-- Countdown continues until launch

-- Crowds pour in for historic test flight

6:30 p.m. -- Astronauts, crowds excited for first launch of Crew Dragon Capsule

5:30 p.m. -- Astronauts and NASA officials talk ahead of the launch

"There's something really exciting about being the first and being able to be part of the mission coming out of this. We’re going to do it, like you said, the old-school way. We both landed on shuttles smoothly on the runway here -- I think for both of us on both of our shuttle flights. We're really excited to be on this flight and to take a splash down at the end.

Part of the reason that we're in the job that were in is because we tend to get nervous kind of after-the-fact, rather than in the moment. They do their best from in my perspective to try to beat that all out of you by giving you a lot of experiences before you jump into the actual spaceship and ride it into space." 

- Bob Behnken, NASA Demo 2 astronaut

"NASA has a long history. We’ve been through accidents. We’ve seen them before, and we want to make sure that the culture that we have developed over the years as a result of those incidents not just applies to our agency, but also applies to our contractors." 

- Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator

4:30 p.m. -- News 6 anchor Ginger Gadsden revisits conversation with astronauts in Houston about why they believe our return to space is vital for the future

3:30 p.m. -- All systems and weather "go" for launch

2:30 p.m. -- People begin to grab their seats for the launch

11:15 a.m. -- Launch viewing spots prepare for crowds

By Amanda Castro/News 6

Tourists visiting Cape Canaveral's Jetty Park are also preparing for the historic launch. Many are camping in RVs and planning to wake up early to watch.

"We get the best view," said Effie Moore, of Canada.

Moore said they're located in a prime spot to witness the launch.

"We're front and center, so chairs are going out and it's going to be awesome," she said.

Tourist Richard Goodman said he is going to set an alarm to make sure he wakes up in time to watch the overnight launch. He said it's exciting to know if the launch goes well, then the capsule could take a crewed mission to the ISS by this summer, which hasn't happened since the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011.

"It's good to see our country doing this stuff again," Goodman said.

Jetty Park officials said they are already getting calls from visitors asking when they should arrive. Large crowds are expected and visitors are encouraged to arrive early to get a spot.

9:45 a.m. -- Ripley's View

By Emilee Speck/ News 6 and ClickOrlando.com

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared a photo from inside the Crew Dragon spacecraft Thursday night showing Ripley, the mannequin, strapped into its launch seat and ready for launch.

When NASA astronauts launch, possibly as soon as July, they will be able to look through two circular windows at the front of the capsule.

Musk said in a tweet SpaceX will share video from Ripley's point of view during the flight.

9:30 a.m. -- Last chance to see Falcon 9 before launch

News 6 photographer Jeff Segers is heading out to launchpad 39A to photograph the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon for the last time before it launches.