It was thumbs up โ and presumably all smiles under their helmets for the astronauts.
It looked like it was going to be yet another delay for the Polaris Dawn crew.
The storm clouds were gathering this morning, and the first flight opportunity was scrubbed.
But then the clouds seemed to part, allowing the first private sector crew to get into space in what was a perfect launch.
In the early hours, for a brief moment night turned to day, as the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off the pad as it roared into space like a fiery angel.
While the crowds were cheering, the flight operations team were holding their breath for the critical separation of the first stage โ which happened smoothly.