Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying its Dragon spacecraft toward the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday morning, according to a company statement.
The rocket launched from the company’s launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Dragon now heads towards the International Space Station, which, on its way, will be subjected to a series of tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the station, according to a statement.
The launch kicks off the company’s mission of becoming the first commercial company to send a spacecraft to the ISS, something only the governments of the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Union have done, according to a statement.
SpaceX CEO and Chief Desigenr Elon Musk said, following the event, he felt optimistic about the mission.
“We obviously have to go through a number of steps to berth with the Space Station, but everything is looking really good and I think I would count today as a success no matter what happens with the rest of the mission,” he said.
According to a statement, SpaceX estimates Dragon possibly birthing with the ISS on May 25.
The company aborted an initial launch attempt Saturday when the flight computer detected slightly high pressure in the engine five combustion chamber. Company engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine during inspections. The failed valve was replaced Saturday and, after analysis, the vehicle was cleared for launch.