Nasa launched two astronauts into space with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket tonight - but did you see it move steadily across the skies of Suffolk? The launch of the spacecraft at 8.22pm UK time meant it was too light to see its first pass over the skies.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alex Rudiger, of Ipswich, took this photo of SpaceX in the sky. Picture: ALEX RUDIGERAlex Rudiger, of Ipswich, took this photo of SpaceX in the sky. Picture: ALEX RUDIGER (Image: Archant)

But as it got darker, people looking out of their windows and standing in their gardens could see an object r movingly speedily across the sky from west to east.

It was visible for a few minutes as it moved on its way to the International Space Station.

East Anglian Daily Times: Laura Scarfe's photo of SpaceX over Ipswich. Picture: LAURA SCARFELaura Scarfe's photo of SpaceX over Ipswich. Picture: LAURA SCARFE (Image: Archant)

Suffolk residents had their binoculars and cameras at the ready, with some getting pictures - even if its distance thousands of miles away meant it looked like only a fast dot in the sky.

US president Donald Trump called the launch an “inspiration”, while British astronaut Tim Peake said: “What a great launch and congratulations @SpaceX on making history.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Matthew Harman's picture of SpaceX over Shotley. Picture: MATTHEW HARMANMatthew Harman's picture of SpaceX over Shotley. Picture: MATTHEW HARMAN (Image: Archant)

The mission, named Demo-2, has made Elon Musk’s SpaceX the first private company to send humans into space, ushering in a new era of commercial space travel.

According to Nasa, the aim of the mission is to show SpaceX’s ability to ferry astronauts to the space station and back safely.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stephen Cates' picture of SpaceX. Picture: STEPHEN CATESStephen Cates' picture of SpaceX. Picture: STEPHEN CATES (Image: Archant)

It had been due to launch on Wednesday but the mission was aborted less than 17 minutes before launch, over concerns that the event could trigger lightning.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sigourney Gilardi took this photo in Kingston Road, Ipswich. Picture: SIGOURNEY GILARDISigourney Gilardi took this photo in Kingston Road, Ipswich. Picture: SIGOURNEY GILARDI (Image: Archant)