SpaceX Rocket Blasts Off for Space Station
May 22nd, 2012Via: AP:
A commercial rocket blasted off early Tuesday with a load of supplies for the International Space Station, opening a new era of dollar-driven spaceflight.
The SpaceX company made history as its Falcon 9 rocket rose from its seaside launch pad and pierced the pre-dawn sky, aiming for a rendezvous later this week with the space station. The rocket carried into orbit a capsule named Dragon that is packed with 1,000 pounds of space station provisions.
It is the first time a private company has launched a vessel to the space station. That’s something only major governments have done — until the present test flight. Launch controllers applauded when the Dragon reached orbit 9 minutes into the flight.
