This is when the huge SpaceX rocket will fly over Manchester tonight

A Demo-2 manned mission from SpaceX and NASA is sending humans into space from US soil, and will be visible tonight over the UK. 

SpaceX, the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has teamed up with NASA to make history this Wednesday, becoming the first private firm to fly two astronauts into space. 

The company will be sending the astronauts into space from the US,  and it’ll be the first time in nine years that someone has launched from America.

It’s not the first time the company has been in the news and the skies throughout lockdown, with much of the UK staring up to the night sky to get a glimpse of its Starlink satellites. 

The Demo-2 mission will see the Falcon 9 rocket take off from launchpad 39A at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, and journey to the International Space Centre.

The crew, Robert Behnken, 48, and Douglas Hurley, 53, are both experienced NASA astronauts.

The rocket will take off at 4:33pm EDT (9:33pm BST) and if all goes to plan will be flying over the UK just 15 minutes later at around 9:45-9:50pm BST. 

The craft will pass over the UK travelling from a westerly direction heading east, where it may be visible in the southern part of the sky for around three to four minutes. 

MeteorWatch said: “As the Spacecraft passes over the UK, we may see just the one or a collection of objects looking like bright stars moving across the sky.

“The sky will be fairly light for some especially for observers in places in the north such as Scotland. The craft should be bright enough to follow once you catch a glimpse of it.”

Times may be subject to change, so stay up to date on the VirtualAstro Twitter here.