NASA greenlights SpaceX test flight to ISS

(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 29, 2019 and obtained from NASA shows the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company�s Crew Dragon attached, rolling out of the company�s hangar at NASA Kennedy Space Center�s Launch Complex 39A. - NASA on February 22, 2019, gave SpaceX the green light to test a new crew capsule by first sending an unmanned craft with a life-sized mannequin to the International Space Station. A Falcon 9 rocket from the private US-based SpaceX is scheduled to lift off, weather permitting, on March 2 to take the Crew Dragon test capsule to the ISS. (Photo by HO / NASA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / NASA/SPACEX/HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

NASA has given SpaceX the green light to test a new crew capsule by first sending an unmanned craft with a life-sized mannequin to the International Space Station.

“We’re go for launch, we’re go for docking,” said William Gerstenmaier, the associate administrator with NASA Human Exploration and Operations.

A Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX is scheduled to lift off on March 2. It will take the Crew Dragon test capsule to the ISS.

NASA signed contracts in 2014 with SpaceX and Boeing for the companies to shuttle U.S. astronauts to the ISS.

This will be the first time the U.S.. space agency lets a private-sector company transport their astronauts.