ESA astronaut set for launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

The instantaneous launch window opens at 11.11 BST on Thursday, with a back-up opportunity available on Friday at 10.49 BST

An ESA astronaut is set for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (SpaceX/PA)

A European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut is expected to blast off into space on Thursday on his second mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Thomas Pesquet will be the first ESA astronaut to fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon being launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida.