NASA has continued launches and work at labs and space centers around the country throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

All eyes are on Wednesday's launch, said NASA's Kirk Shireman, program manager for the International Space Station.

"July 8, 2011, was the last time humans left the planet here [from the] Kennedy Space Center and went to the International Space Station," he said. "[We are] very much looking forward to next week having Bob and Doug on orbit continuing the human presence on the International Space Station, learning and exploring.".

The astronauts said COVID-19 has allowed the general public to get an idea of what they experience.

The pair will be in a Crew Dragon capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to go to the International Space Station.

The visitor complex at the Kennedy Space Center, which is usually a prime spot for watching launches, has been closed since March 16.

Most visitors are banned, with 100 to 150 fewer people present than would normally witness a launch.

Press numbers and procedures have changed too, said Joe Marino, a photographer for United Press international who has been covering space launches since 1984.

"They're reducing the number of people allowed into the space center," he said.

We've had a number of people infected by it," Bridenstine said.

Space shuttle launches usually attract tens of thousands of people, bringing tourist dollars to what is known as Florida's Space Coast.

Its website carries the warning: "Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.".