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STORY: Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX, successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket into space on Sunday (October 7) as part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station. SpaceX is now the first private company to fly to the International Space Station. The mission is part of a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to deliver supplies.

The Falcon 9 rocket's Dragon space capsule will deliver 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of food, clothing, supplies and science gear to the International Space Station.

If the mission is successful, SpaceX will restore a U.S. supply line to the station that was cut off by the retirement of the space shuttles last year. Since then, NASA has been dependent on Russian, European and Japanese freighters to service the station, a permanently staffed research laboratory that flies about 250 miles (402 km) above Earth.

SpaceX is one of two firms hired by NASA to deliver cargo to the station. Its other contractor, Orbital Sciences Corp., on October 1 rolled out its first Antares rocket to a new launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia, for an engine test-firing slated for this month or early November.