Kennedy Space Center to close roads for SpaceX Crew Dragon 'in-flight' abort test

UPDATE: Liftoff of Falcon 9 with Crew Dragon at 10:30 a.m. ET! The capsule successfully separated from the rocket and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean shortly after liftoff.

As the days inch nearer for SpaceX's "in-flight" abort test of the Crew Dragon capsule, the last critical milestone before the company can send astronauts to the International Space Station from American soil, Kennedy Space Center will restrict some of its road access for the high-profile launch.

With the launch scheduled to liftoff no earlier than 8 a.m. at an opening of a four-hour window, "Kennedy Space Center Security Police will be enforcing restricted access from the Kennedy Space Center boundary lines for the duration of the SpaceX launch attempt," according to KSC's press release.

The following public access roads that will be closed are:

State Road 3 from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway), including Space Commerce Way. The roads will close at 4 a.m. to the general public.

Access to KSC, KSC Visitor Complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin will be limited to authorized personnel. All roads will reopen after the launch, according to the release.

The A. Max Brewer Bridge on State Road 406, east to Playalinda Beach will close at 3:30 a.m. for all motor vehicle traffic.

State Road 3 North at U.S. 1 in Volusia County, south to Playalinda Beach will close at 3:30 a.m. for all motor vehicle traffic.

Good news: Weather excellent for SpaceX Crew Dragon launch and in-flight abort

KSC expects there to be delays on the roads that day so plan accordingly.

This launch will test the capsule's abort system, which is designed to save astronaut lives in the event there is a malfunction with the rocket during liftoff.

Approximately 90 seconds after liftoff from the historic pad 39A, where the Apollo and space shuttle launches took off from, the launch abort sequence for the Crew Dragon capsule will initiate, causing the capsule to separate from the Falcon 9 rocket.

Those interested in viewing the launch can do so at the beach access points like Cocoa Beach Pier or for those wanting a more up-close and unique experience, Space Fleet Tours — an organization dedicated to viewing rocket launches from a boat — will provide some chartered boats stationed in the Atlantic Ocean for those wanting to see the separation of the capsule and break down of the rocket.

If the mission is deemed successful, the next big milestone would be SpaceX's Demonstration 2 mission, which would send NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the ISS.

Contact Jaramillo at 321-242-3668 or antoniaj@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AntoniaJ_11.

By the way, here's what to expect to see for SpaceX Crew Dragon in-flight abort test

Launch Saturday

Rocket : SpaceX Falcon 9

: SpaceX Falcon 9 Mission : Crew Dragon "in-flight" abort test

: Crew Dragon "in-flight" abort test Launch Time : 8 a.m.

: 8 a.m. Launch Window : until noon

: until noon Location: pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center

Join floridatoday.com/space at 6:30 a.m. Saturday for countdown chat and updates including streaming of SpaceX's launch webcast.

See video from 2019: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Crew Dragon on historic mission