Watch live: French astronaut set for lift-off on ISS mission in SpaceX rocket

A French astronaut is set to lift-off in a SpaceX launch, in a delayed mission to the International Space Station.

Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency is to travel alongside three fellow astronauts in a recycled Dragon capsule, fired up off Earth on a recycled rocket.

It will be SpaceX’s third crewed launch, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, but poor weather conditions forced a delay.

SpaceX’s Dragon capsule requires calm waves and winds in case an emergency splashdown is needed during the climb to orbit.

Friday’s weather forecast was looking much better, according to NASA.The launch is expected at 1149 CEST.

It seems the weather is cooperating, so looks like we will try to launch tomorrow!!! Our friends on the @Space_Station are expecting us to show up and we don’t want to be late. They even installed my bedroom recently and literally made my bed 🛏. Such nice hosts! 🙏 #MissionAlpha pic.twitter.com/52X2bhPoTX

— Thomas Pesquet (@Thom_astro) April 22, 2021

Alongside the Frenchman on the six-month mission are NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide.

Pesquet will be bringing a gift of French food prepared by star chefs to the team on the International Space Station.