CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA (BNO NEWS) – NASA on Friday applauded the successful launching of Space Exploration Technologies’ Falcon 9 rocket.

“Congratulations to Space X on today’s launch of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Space X’s accomplishment is an important milestone in the commercial transportation effort and puts the company a step closer to providing cargo services to the International Space Station,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said.

“Preparations are proceeding for the first NASA-sponsored test launch under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project later this year,” Bolden added, underlining that COTS is a vital development and demonstration partnership to create a commercial space transportation system capable of providing cargo to the station.

“This launch of the Falcon 9 gives us even more confidence that a resupply vehicle will be available after the space shuttle fleet is retired.”

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