SpaceX Falcon 9: Successful lift off to ISS

Cape Canaveral - Today saw the successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule, on the way to resupply the international space station.

Digital Journal reported on May 19, 2012 that the previous attempt at lift off was a failure, due to the flight computer detecting slightly high combustion chamber pressure on engine 5, which prompted the computer to abort the countdown. The second attempt was made early this morning and the launch was successful. Half a ton of provisions is now on the way to the ISS. This marks the first attempt by a private-made vessel to perform such a task. The Dragon capsule will remain at the international space station for one week before being cut loose and returning to earth. The SpaceX website states: "Falcon 9/Dragon launched successfully at 3:44 AM eastern. This marks the third consecutive Falcon 9 launch success and the fifth straight launch success for SpaceX. The Dragon spacecraft separated and the solar arrays have deployed."