SpaceX Dragon launches first commercial flight
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Artists impression of Dragon in orbit
The Dragon spacecraft undergoing preflight checks
Dragon spacecraft being assembled with the Falcon 9 booster
the Falcon 9 booster
The Dragon spacecraft docking with the ISS on a previous visit
Dragon being fitted to the Falcon 9 booster
Future developments for the Dragon will include that capacity to make powered landings
Falcon 9 undergoing static test
The Falcon 9 booster
The Falcon 9 booster
The Falcon 9 booster
The Falcon 9 booster
Dragon awaiting launch
Article Summary
A new chapter has been written in the history of space exploration with the successful launch of the first commercial cargo flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The reusable unmanned freighter Dragon was lifted into orbit today at 8:35 PM EDT (October 8, 0135 GMT) by a Falcon 9 booster from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and is scheduled to rendezvous with the ISS on Tuesday. Carrying 905 kg (1,995 lbs) of cargo, this is the first of twelve contracted flights that Dragon is scheduled to make to the station.
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