Mike Hopkins, formerly of Richland, in route to the International Space Station as Commander of his Crew

Four astronauts on the space shuttle dubbed “Resilience” are headed to the International Space Station, including southern Missouri native Mike Hopkins. Hopkins, of Richland, is commanding the crew on the first operational space flight of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts aboard. Before liftoff, he had this departing message.

Resilience is expected to dock at the International Space Station around 10 p.m. Monday.