WATCH: Launch successful – Israel blasts off to the moon

American Buzz Aldrin, who in 1969 was one of the first two people to walk on the moon, congratulated SpaceX.

Israel became the first to launch a privately funded mission to the moon, in addition to becoming the fourth country to launch a lunar spacecraft after the U.S., Russia and China.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Thursday night. Aboard it is the spacecraft, called “Beresheet” (Genesis).

Buzz Aldrin, who in 1969 was one of the first two people to walk on the moon, congratulated SpaceX on the launch.